Shots have been fired. Approximately one year ago, Ruby Rose quit the series they starred in, The CW’s Batwoman, stating that they were exhausted from the grueling production and having to lead an action-heavy series that filmed mostly at night. They also suffered an injury on-set that required surgery, only to return to set less than two weeks later, something she now says she was forced to do. It seemed like a legitimate reason, and the series has gone on without them, inserting Javicia Leslie as the new Batwoman, Ryan Wilder.
But now, Rose is coming out swinging, declaring:
“I wouldn’t return for any amount of money nor if a gun were to my head.”
Rose has played nice since their departure, but it seems that inquiries have finally gotten to them as they went on an Instagram tirade, tearing into Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions, who produce the show. They compared herself to Scarlett Johansson who recently sued the powerhouse that is Disney over royalties for Black Widow. Rose also called out co-star Dougray Scott who played their father on Batwoman for toxic behavior.
Rose also called out the series for unsafe working practices, pointing to injuries sustained by stunt performers on the show.
You can find some of Rose’s statements below:
Previously, Rose wrote:
“NOR DID I QUIT. I DID NOT QUIT. They ruined Kate Kane and they destroyed Batwoman, not me. I followed orders, and if I wanted to stay I was going to have to sign my rights away. Any threats, any bullying tactics or blackmail will not make me stand down.”
It has been somewhat confirmed that Rose did not quit, but was fired due to problematic behavior on-set. There are two sides (or more) to every story. Warner Bros. TV has issued a response, reading:
“Despite the revisionist history that Ruby Rose is now sharing online aimed at the producers, the cast and crew, the network, and the Studio, the truth is that Warner Bros. Television had decided not to exercise its option to engage Ruby for Season 2 of Batwoman based on multiple complaints about workplace behavior that were extensively reviewed and handled privately out of respect for all concerned.”
Rose specifically called out her co-star Dougray Scott saying he:
“hurt a female stunt double” and “yelled like a little bitch at women and was a nightmare. He left when he wanted and arrived when he wanted [and verbally] abused women.”
Scott has since stated:
“I absolutely and completely refute the defamatory and damaging claims made against me by [Ruby Rose]; they are entirely made up and never happened.
“As Warner Bros. Television has stated, they decided not to exercise the option to engage Ruby for Season 2… based on multiple complaints about her workplace behaviour,”
In addition, Camrus Johnson, who plays Luke Fox/Batwing on Batwoman, has come out saying:
“Batfam ya know I couldn’t go the whole day without saying something! I love y’all, don’t think I haven’t seen all the love today. But yea fam, she was fired. And it is VERY hard to be fired when you’re the lead. Imagine what u have to do for that 2 happen.
“Since it was claimed she “walked away” last year I’m sure some of you may be pretty confused or upset, and even moreso that a lot of lies were spread today. Just know we have a lot of great souls working on this show and none of this changes that. From the top to the bottom.”
It’s not clear what if anything will come of this. Ruby Rose is no longer affiliated with Batwoman which continues with a new lead. It’s definitely not hard to imagine that the working conditions on an action-based show like this could be taxing, particularly on stunt performers. But it also sounds like there could have been some demanding behavior on the part of the star that made conditions rough for others.
Stay tuned for any updates…
