Amazon tabled Woody Allen’s movie “A Rainy Day in New York,” NPR reported on September 3. The #MeToo movement is responsible for the decision, according to several media agencies, such as Metro (UK). Elle Fanning is digesting the news that Amazon could place an “indefinite hold” on the movie’s release. Fanning is featured in Allen’s movie, which also stars Selena Gomez and Jude Law.

In relaying her thoughts about reports that the film might not be distributed, Fanning said that she has not been told anything directly, yet the reported news is something that she is trying “to come to terms with,” according to Metro.

For Fanning, the “experience” of making the movie counts the most. She seems disappointed that audiences may never see her work, however.

Stars distanced themselves from Allen’s project

Though Amazon Studios had the contract to distribute Allen’s movie, Harper’s Bazaar also noted that its release is “shelved.” Actually, there has never been a slated release date. With attention on the #MeToo movement, Selena Gomez and stars Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Hall “distanced themselves from the project,” Harper’s Bazaar wrote on August 31.

Heightened attention on #MeToo movement affected Allen’s movie due to the 1992 sexual abuse allegations by his daughter Dylan Farrow that resurfaced among public conversation.

While Allen was not prosecuted for any claims that Dylan leveled against him when she was seven, her claim is not unsubstantiated either.

Abuse allegation against director resurfaced with #MeToo movement

As momentum for #MeToo was building in 2016, Dylan penned an open letter, reminding everyone of her sexual abuse accusation against Allen, who repeatedly denied the allegation. When law enforcement did not discover evidence supporting Dylan’s claim, the case did not move forward.

Both Gomez and Chalamet “regretted” working on Allen’s film, which wrapped in October 2017, according to Harper’s Bazaar and the Guardian (UK). The two stars donated their salaries to “Time’s Up,” which is a legal defense fund for people who have been affected by workplace sexual harassment, abuse, or assault.

Scrapping release of film costs Amazon roughly $25 million

The cost to Amazon for shelving Allen’s film, a romantic comedy, is estimated at $25 million. NPR summarized factors that possibly contributed to Amazon’s pricey decision. A Washington Post archivist, for instance, exhumed Allen’s prior work and noted that he tends to have an “unhealthy infatuation with very young women.” Additionally, Allen also married Soon-Yi, his stepdaughter, whom he photographed nude when she was 16.

NRP reported that “talent started to flee from him.”

Allen has had a film released every year for the last 44 years, according to Harpers Bazaar. He will not have a project released, however, in 2018. He is “taking a break” from directing. Allen stated to The Guardian that his career has been adversely affected by the #MeToo movement.

Allen assessed: “There are traumas in life that weaken us for the future.” He further said: “The various slings and arrows of life have not strengthened me.”

An aspect of "A Rainy Day In New York" that might have hurt its chance for release is that the movie reportedly contains a scene depicting “sexual flirtation” involving an older man and a girl of 15, IndieWire pointed out. In the #MeToo era -- and with the awareness of Dylan’s accusations raised -- the film’s release has been shelved.

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