Bryan Singer responds to sexual abuse allegations, pulls out of 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' promotional events

X-Men: Days of Future Past director Bryan Singer has responded to sexual abuse allegations for the first time since said allegations came out against him. The director has also decided to remove himself from all DOFP promotional events.

"The allegations against me are outrageous, vicious and completely false," he said (via Variety). "I do not want these fictitious claims to divert ANY attention from X-Men: Days of Future Past. This fantastic film is a labor of love and one of the greatest experiences of my career. So, out of respect to all of the extraordinary contributions from the incredibly talented actors and crew involved, I've decided not to participate in the upcoming media events for the film. However, I promise when this situation is over, the facts will show this to be the sick twisted shake down it is. I want to thank fans, friends and family for all their amazing and overwhelming support."

A federal lawsuit filed in last week accuses Singer of sexually abusing a 17-year-old boy in 1999. The suit alleges the abuses took place at estates in Los Angeles and Kailua, Hawaii with firearms, drugs and alcohol present. The allegations include rape and physical force and also claim Singer forced the boy to inhale cocaine at "sordid parties," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"The claims made against Bryan Singer are completely without merit," said Singer's attorney Marty Singer. "We are very confident that Bryan will be vindicated in this absurd and defamatory lawsuit...It is obvious that this case was filed in an attempt to get publicity at the time when Bryan's new movie is about to open in a few weeks."

The plaintiff is Michael F. Egan III, a 31-year-old Nevada resident who grew up in the Midwest and moved to Los Angeles with his family as a teenager to pursue his acting career. Egan filed the suit without a pseudonym and his name appears on a press release issued by his legal counsel. He claims that Singer and others threatened to create or destroy his Hollywood career depending on if he kept them pleased.

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