Disgraced Hollywood director Bryan Singer said living in Israel, planning comeback

American film director Bryan Singer, once a major Hollywood force but whose career nosedived in recent years following accusations of sexual assault, has been living in Israel and is planning a comeback that would include making movies based in the Jewish state, Variety has reported.

According to the Thursday news piece, Singer, who was raised Jewish, has been living in Israel for a few years now, after allegations surfaced that he assaulted four minors, claims he has denied.

The report said Singer, known for directing “The Usual Suspects,” several “X-Men” movies and “Superman Returns,” is working on three films set in or relating to Israel, while also planning a documentary on his “struggles.” It said he has been quietly talking to industry officials in an effort to get support for his projects.

Singer did not comment on the report.

The allegations against Singer first came to light in an Atlantic report in 2019. The paper published a lengthy article based on a 12-month investigation. It details the stories of four alleged victims who said they were seduced and molested by the director while underage. Three of the men spoke on the condition of anonymity. Victor Valdovinos said he was molested by Singer on the set of 1998′s “Apt Pupil” when he was in the seventh grade.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office earlier investigated claims that male minors were pressured into stripping naked for a shower scene in “Apt Pupil” but declined to press charges. Lawsuits filed by families of the minors involved were settled out of court.

Singer’s last directing gig was 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but he was fired from the project and replaced during shooting after several absences from the London production.

AP contributed to this report.