Armie Hammer will no longer star in the next Paramount Plus series “The Offer”, which tells the backstage of the story of “The Godfather”, Variety learned from the sources.
It was announced in early December that Hammer was hired to lead the show in the role of Al Ruddy, who produced “The Godfather” in 1972. The 10-episode series details Ruddy’s experience working on the iconic film. The search now for a new leader of the series.
Hammer and Paramount representatives did not immediately respond to Varietyto comment. This post will be updated if they respond.
News of Hammer’s departure from the show comes weeks after he also gives up on the romantic comedy “Wedding Shotgun”, in which he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez, after a series of unverified direct Instagram messages allegedly written by Hammer leaked online. The messages described explicit sexual fantasies, including cannibalism.
Hammer previously issued a statement about the controversy, saying he would not respond to “complaints”, further describing the social media hoopla surrounding the messages as “vicious and spurious online attacks against [him]. “
“The Offer” was one of several high-profile projects announced when ViacomCBS revealed that it was renaming the streaming service CBS All Access to Paramount Plus in September. Others included Oscar-winner Taylor Sheridan’s spy drama “Lioness” as well as a reboot of the musical docuseries “Behind the Music”.
Michael Tolkin is writing and executive producing “The Offer”, with Ruddy, Nikki Toscano and Leslie Grief also executive producers. Paramount Television Studios will produce.
With the brand change and the addition of library programs from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and more content from Paramount Pictures’ vault, Paramount Plus will offer around 30,000 episodes and movies. BET, Comedy Central and other ViacomCBS brands will also produce original series for Paramount Plus.