X-Men: Days of Future Past Director Officially Withdraws From Press Tour Amid Scandal

While the information has been out for about a week, today Bryan Singer made it official that he will not be attending any events in support of X-Men: Days of Future Past, due out in a month from Fox. The director, who is currently embroiled in a civil suit alleging that he sexually abused a teenager in 1999, pulled out of WonderCon last weekend and rumors were that he would not appear on any of the press junket for the film. Singer confirmed that today, saying that he didn't want what he calls baseless accusations to distract from the film. "The allegations against me are outrageous, vicious and completely false," Singer wrote in a statement released to the press. "I do not want these fictitious claims to divert ANY attention from X-Men: Days of Future Past. This fantastic film is a labor of love and one of the greatest experiences of my career. So, out of respect to all of the extraordinary contributions from the incredibly talented actors and crew involved, I've decided not to participate in the upcoming media events for the film. However, I promise when this situation is over, the facts will show this to be the sick twisted shakedown it is. I want to thank fans, friends and family for all their amazing and overwhelming support." Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films, has been involved as a producer on every installment of the franchise but this is his first shot at directing one of the films since X2: X-Men United. It has been widely assumed that he will direct X-Men: Apocalypse, the next installment in the franchise due in theaters in 2016, but it is unclear whether the pending litigation will impact his decision to do so or Fox's willingness to have him.