Why has ‘Baby Driver”s Ansel Elgort been welcomed back to Hollywood?
There was once a time when Ansel Elgort was considered one of the most well-loved fresh faces in Hollywood, as he wooed us in movies like Baby Driver all the way to The Fault in Our Stars. For a while, it seemed like his career in film was only going to get more and more successful, as he was admired not just for his superb acting skills but also adored for his good looks and cheeky personality. But what happened to the actor?
Back in June of 2020, the star was accused of sexual assault on a minor, which led to his cancellation all over the internet, and caused him to lay low on his social media accounts and disappear for a bit from the public. Because of those allegations, he lost tons of fans who once loved him in movies like Baby Driver, but now it seems like Ansel Elgort is making a return thanks to the new trailer of Steven Spielberg’s take on West Side Story.
While filming on West Side Story was already wrapped up by the time Ansel Elgort’s cancellation surfaced the web, the production team decided to roll with the punches and continue with distribution and post-production despite their leading actor facing sexual assault accusations. So will Ansel Elgort be welcomed back to Hollywood with open arms thanks to the new movie? Let’s take a look at all the details we know about it here.
The new movie
Earlier today, the trailer for Steven Spielberg’s movie adaptation of West Side Story just dropped, and there have been all kinds of reactions from folks so far. The movie will star newcomer Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Rita Moreno, and more. The original movie released in the year of 1961 that was based on the Broadway production won a total of ten Oscars, including Best Picture, but could this new movie have the same exact effect?
While Ansel Elgort was nominated for a Golden Globe himself thanks to his role in Baby Driver, and director Steven Spielberg has received plenty of awards himself, there is a chance that the upcoming film could receive some nominations. However, wouldn’t we be taking a step backward from all the progress we’ve made in Hollywood in regards to social change if a movie starring a man accused of sexual assault received wide acclaim?
It’s quite a tricky situation, as on one hand, West Side Story is not solely Ansel Elgort’s work, and to disregard a movie just for its leading actor alone would be to disregard all the hard work of the rest of the cast and crew. On top of that, the filming was done before these allegations were made. On the other hand, it’s difficult to not look at Ansel Elgort’s face in the trailer and be reminded of all the horrible things he was accused of.
#WestSideStory editors whenever Ansel showed up while they were editing the trailer pic.twitter.com/Sgg0B4rJqr
— Kreidy Giantsbane (@kreidy_b) September 15, 2021
Should we support the film or not?
When the trailer first dropped today, many people immediately noticed that Ansel Elgort was shown as least as he possibly could. While he may have starring credits in this upcoming movie, it’s not likely that the actor will be starring in any blockbuster hits in his near future. If you don’t know what the Baby Driver star was accused of, let’s fill you in on why Ansel Elgort and his career is probably doomed in Hollywood now.
Back in June, a Twitter user named Gabby shared how the actor allegedly sexually assaulted her when she was seventeen in 2014. She said: “instead of asking me if I wanted to stop having sex knowing it was my first time and I was sobbing in pain and I didn’t want to do it, the only words that came out of his mouth were ‘we need to break you in.’ I WASN’T there in that moment mentally”. Ansel was twenty at the time.
Sara
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I hate that a person can make an accusation true or not and a persons career can be over. The accuser has disappeared after one post, and by all accounts the6 were in a consensual relationship both single at the time. In this day of guilty until proven innocent a very. Bad precedent I’d arising. The actor admitted 5he relationship and said he could have handled the breakup better so what is to say the accuser didn’t just decide to get attention. It wouldn’t be the first time a young girl made stuff up after their first bad relationship . It’s not as if she is claiming rape.. I jus5 feel bad sometimes a man is put in a lose lose situation. No matter what he says.
September 20, 2021treevs
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I think it sends a “bad message” when a person can make an unproven allegation with no evidence, where the accusation was denied strongly, and everyone just punishes the guy like he is presumed guilty. The woman was 17, which is above the age of consent in New York. She is not a “minor” unde the law, so that is false. Elgort was barely 20. That age difference is hardly shocking. It also appears he ghosted her which gives context to the accusation and raises legitimate questions as to whether she was out for revenge. Absent corroborating evidence or other women, I see no reason why anyone should ban him from movies.
September 25, 2021Confused
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I’m so confused it wasn’t just ONE allegation though, didn’t a bunch of 14-15 year olds (at the time of events) come forward after?
The first one got into details how she suffered from PTSD and attended therapy – who would fake a trauma in therapy session after session for extended periods of time?
How am I, as a rape victim with PTSD, still seeing this dude thriving and his new productions and TV shows advertised. Cancel culture over nothing ain’t alright, but when all these girls came forward it wasn’t nothing.
May 12, 2023