Disney halts graveyard book film in UK amid assault claims

Disney has halted the production of its adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 'The Graveyard Book' following serious allegations of sexual assault against the author. The film was in pre-production in the U.K. when five women came forward with claims against Gaiman, who is known for his acclaimed works such as 'The Sandman' and 'Coraline.' The allegations include accounts of non-consensual sexual encounters, with some women stating they had previously been in consensual relationships with Gaiman. The claims were highlighted in a podcast series by Tortoise Media, which detailed the experiences of four women, with a fifth woman sharing her story later on another podcast. Gaiman has denied these allegations, asserting that he has no involvement in the Disney production and expressing hope for the film's success if it proceeds. Marc Forster was set to direct the adaptation, which had been in development since Disney acquired the rights in 2012. Initially, Henry Selick was attached to the project, but Forster took over in 2022, with a screenplay written by David Magee. Despite the pause in production, insiders indicate that the project has not been completely scrapped, and various factors, including the allegations, contributed to the decision to halt. As of now, no cast has been announced for the film, which tells the story of a young boy raised by supernatural beings in a graveyard after his family is murdered. The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how the allegations will ultimately affect the future of the adaptation.