A few days after actor Ray Fisher retracted his praise of director/writer Joss Whedon he went on to further elaborate why on Twitter.
The actor who played Cyborg in Justice League stated that:
Joss Wheadon’s on-set treatment of the cast and crew of Justice League was gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable.
He was enabled, in many ways, by Geoff Johns and Jon Berg.
Accountability>Entertainment
Fisher has been talking more about the film since the announcement that Zack Snyder’s vision for the film will be done for HBO Max. He praised Snyder and writer Chris Terrio for “empowering” him and giving him a seat at the creative table with input on his character for the film.
It’s believed that much of Fishers Victor Stone/Cyborg storyline was cut in Whedon’s version of the film. Whedon took over for Snyder on the film after Snyder had to step down due to a family tragedy.
Named as enabling Whedon in the Tweet are Johns and Berg. Both were producers on the film and have credits on numerous DC properties going forward. Johns shifted his focus from comics to DC’s live-action properties but still has handled high-profile DC comic storylines like the recent Doomsday Clock. Johns went from film to comics due to DC staffer Eddie Berganza who himself has a history of abuse. In 2010 Johns was named the Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment and he stepped down from his executive role in 2018. He launched Mad Ghost Productions to focus on film, tv, and comic book based on DC properties. He’s currently working on the Green Lantern Corps for HBO Max. Johns being named would be yet another DC executive accused of shielding abusive behavior by staff.
Whedon himself has been involved in comics with the relaunch of his Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel properties at BOOM! Studios.
None of the individuals named have made a statement regarding Fisher’s statement.
Update: Jon Berg has made a statement to Variety saying it was “categorically untrue that we enabled any unprofessional behavior.” He also said “I remember [Fisher] being upset that we wanted him to say ‘Booyaa,’ which is a well known saying of Cyborg in the animated series.”
It was announced today as well that Fisher’s co-star Jason Mamoa would be starring in an upcoming film produced by Johns and Berg.
