The Harvey Weinstein scandal has delayed the release of a film starring Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch which was part-filmed in Brighton earlier this year.
Weinstein, a leading Hollywood producer, faces several allegations of rape and sexual assault and has been sacked by the studio company that he founded.
His latest film, The Current War, was due to be released on Friday 24 November, the day after Thanksgiving in America.
It stars Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison as he vies with George Westinghouse, played by Michael Shannon, in the battle for dominance in the early years of electrical power supply.
Cumberbatch has been quoted as speaking out about the claims made about Weinstein, saying: “I am utterly disgusted by the continuing revelations of Harvey Weinstein’s horrifying and unforgivable actions.
“We need to collectively stand up and support victims of abuse such as the brave and inspiring women who have spoken out against him and say we hear you and believe you.”
No new date has been set for the film’s release, with commentators suggesting that its prospects have been tainted by the Weinstein scandal.
The website Deadline Hollywood said that it was now likely to go on general release next year.
Weinstein’s company traditionally using the weekend after Thanksgiving as the start of its campaign for Oscar success – as in the case of The King’s Speech and The Artist.
In any event The Current War received underwhelming reviews when it was given its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival last month. It has since been re-edited.
The film’s makers used the grounds of the Royal Pavilion in late January and early February to shoot scenes set at the World Fair in Chicago in 1893.
Actors were spotted in period costumes as filming took place over several days.
The cast includes Nicholas Hoult, who starred in the TV drama Skins and with High Grant in the film About A Boy, based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name.
