The new year kicked off with what will likely be the most bizarre celebrity story of 2021: Armie Hammer — the genetically blessed movie star of “Call Me by Your Name” and “The Social Network” fame, and heir to the Hammer family oil fortune — began trending online for being a cannibal.
Hammer is not a cannibal.
And yet, weeks later, questions still swirl about Hammer’s personal life amid social media accusations. And after he dropped out of two high-profile projects – which Variety hears from multiple well-placed sources he was asked to leave – it’s not clear if his career can, or will, recover.
Unverified messages have been blasted across social media, reportedly showing Hammer chatting with several women in explicit conversations displaying his fetishes, where he allegedly expresses his sexual appetite to drink blood, cut toes and enslave sex partners. The messages, allegedly sent by Hammer, describe rape fantasies. One of Hammer’s exes told a tabloid the actor wanted to barbecue and eat her rib. Another ex said in a media interview that he carved his initial into her skin on her pelvis, engaging in “knife play” in the bedroom. Beneath the salacious accusations, which have turned into a media spectacle, the women say Hammer’s sexual proclivities are being used as a smokescreen, and are accusing him of emotional abuse, manipulation and coercion.
Hammer has not spoken about the veracity of the messages. And his inner circle disputes any claims of abuse.
Yet still, in 2021, what is spread on social media matters. Even if Hammer is denying the more serious claims, there appears to be enough validity that his lifestyle choices – fairly or not – will likely have a lasting stain on Hammer’s career.
An attorney for Hammer has told reporters that assertions against his client are “patently untrue,” stating that any interactions with any sexual partners of his “completely consensual in that they were fully discussed, agreed upon, and mutually participatory.”
“The stories being perpetuated in the media are a misguided attempt to present a one-sided narrative with the goal of tarnishing Mr. Hammer’s reputation, and communications from the individuals involved prove that,” Hammer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler of Lavely and Singer, tells Variety in a statement.
Hammer has categorized the allegations as an unfounded takedown against him. “I’m not responding to these bullshit claims,” he said in a statement, calling the social media accusations “vicious and spurious online attacks against me.”
So far, no lawsuits have been filed by any of the accusers. A representative for one of Hammer’s ex-girlfriends tells Variety that her client isn’t currently exploring any legal proceedings.
Those close to Hammer believe he has a strong case for a defamation suit, but at this time, he has no plans to pursue legal action, as his focus is on the custody of his children, according to a person familiar with his team’s present strategy.
(Excerpt) Read more in: Variety