Director Matthew Newton exits Jessica Chastain film after backlash

Director Matthew Newton exits Jessica Chastain film after backlash

Matthew Newton has stepped down as director of Jessica Chastain’s “Eve” following online backlash due to his history of alleged assault and domestic violence.

Newton, who suffers from bipolar disorder, made the announcement on Friday morning.

“Yesterday I notified Jessica Chastain and the other producers on the film ‘Eve’ that I will be stepping down as director,” he said in a statement. “Since the announcement of this film, the responses, which are powerful and important, have not fallen on deaf ears. I am profoundly aware that I have a responsibility to lead where I have failed in the past. I can never undo the harm that I’ve caused the people I’ve cared about and I carry that shame and responsibility with me every day.”

“Over the past eight years I have been working extensively with healthcare professionals to help me overcome my addiction and mental health illness,” he added. “For the past six years I have lived a quiet and sober life. All I can do now is try to be a living amends and hopefully contribute to the positive change occurring in our industry.”

Chastain and Voltage Pictures announced earlier this month that she would star in the character-driven action movie “Eve” and will produce through her Freckle Films production company. Newton, who wrote the script, was also named as director for the picture.

Newton most recently directed “Who We Are Now,” starring Julianne Nicholson, Emma Roberts and Zachary Quinto, which FilmRise picked up after it premiered last year at the Toronto Film Festival.

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