Disney Halts Production on ‘The Graveyard Book’ Film Amid Assault Allegations Against Neil Gaiman

Disney is putting its adaptation of ‘The Graveyard Book’ on hold following sexual assault allegations against the book’s author, Neil Gaiman.

While the film, directed by Marc Forster, hasn't been completely cancelled, development has been paused due to these allegations among other factors.

Published in 2008, ‘The Graveyard Book’ tells the story of a young boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is murdered. The film adaptation had not yet entered pre-production and lacked confirmed casting.

Gaiman had no involvement with the film.

In a July 3 report by Tortoise Media, Neil Gaiman, the creator of Sandman, faces allegations of sexual assault from two women. One claim involves a 23-year-old named Scarlett, who worked as a nanny at Gaiman's New Zealand home in 2022. Scarlett alleges that Gaiman assaulted her in a bath, although Gaiman contends that their interactions were consensual and limited to ‘cuddling’ and ‘making out,’ with only consensual digital penetration during their three-week relationship. Scarlett’s accusations led to a police investigation in New Zealand.

The other allegation comes from a woman identified as K, who claims she was 18 when she met Gaiman at a 2003 book signing in Sarasota, Fla. K says she began a relationship with Gaiman when she was 20, involving rough and painful sex that she did not consent to or enjoy. Gaiman denies any wrongdoing with K.

Tortoise Media also released a podcast series on the allegations, which led to three more women coming forward with their own accusations.

Disney has paused production on its adaptation of The Graveyard Book but declined to comment further.

Gaiman also recently experienced Netflix canceLling its series ‘Dead Boy Detectives’, based on his comic book characters, after just one season. It remains unclear if the cancellation was influenced by the allegations against him.

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