Vincent Gallo Movie Under Investigation by SAG-AFTRA After Actors Alleged He Made Sexual Comments During Auditions

SAG-AFTRA confirms to Variety that it’s investigating the production of Vincent Gallo’s new movie “The Policeman,” in which the controversial star of “The Brown Bunny” and “Buffalo ’66” plays the Golden State serial killer Joseph James DeAngelo. Auditions for the Jordan Gertner-directed film took place in November 2023, and it was filmed in the Portland, Oregon, area in December 2023. According to Rolling Stone, three female actors who auditioned for the film filed a formal complaint to SAG-AFTRA alleging that Gallo was inappropriate toward them.

“We are aware of these complaints and are investigating,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “We extensively engaged with production regarding the complaints and, while shooting has wrapped, we continue to monitor and investigate. We also reaffirm our commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment on set.”

More from Variety

• SAG-AFTRA Signs Deal With Voiceover Studio for AI Use in Video Games

• Hollywood's Labor Peace May Be Temporary, as IATSE and Teamsters Gear Up for a Fight

• 'A Crowning Achievement' and 'Moment of Triumph' for Actors: SAG-AFTRA Leaders Reflect on the Long Road to Ratification

According to the complaint, Gallo said lewd comments to the actors during the audition process. The actors were reading for scenes in which they would play the serial killer’s victims. One actor claims Gallo told her: “If I say to suck my dick or I will kill you, I want you, you the person, not you the character, not you the actor, but you, to truly believe you will die if you don’t do as I say. And just like you would in real life, if this were happening to you, I want you to do all of the actions necessary to do that. You won’t actually suck my dick, but you do not have the power, I have all the power. You have no control, I am in complete control.”

Another actor said she was told something similar, with Gallo allegedly saying to her: “I may ask you to suck my cock onscreen, and I want an actress who is not going to put up a fight about that. You’re going to be offended by what I ask you, but I don’t want any of your personal feminist values. You don’t want to do this, you don’t think it’s fair, but you know what? The victim didn’t have a choice, and neither will you as the actress…Of course we can’t actually have you give me head onscreen, but the point is that I want someone who will not stop production to call their agent, or complain, etc. because they are offended.”

One of the complaints alleges that Gallo said he wanted the film environment on set to feel “fully improvised” and that he needed actresses who were open to having their “minds and bodies be 100 percent dominated by him” on set.

“I may ask you to get nude at any time, and I need an actress who is going to do it, because that’s what the victim would’ve done to stay alive,” Gallo allegedly told one of the actors, according to the complaint.

Variety has reached out to Gallo’s representative for comment.

Best of Variety

• From 'Killers of the Flower Moon' to 'Eileen': The Best Book-to-Screen Adaptations to Read This Year

• The Best 'Sopranos' Merch to Celebrate the Show's 25th Anniversary

• Oscars Predictions: International Feature – Which Country Benefits From the Absence of 'Anatomy of a Fall?'

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.