The New York premiere of Louis C.K.’s new film, “I Love You Daddy,” which was set to take place Thursday night, has been canceled due to “unexpected circumstances,” according to his reps.
The comedian also canceled his appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” — which announced it would move William H. Macy up a night from his originally scheduled appearance on Friday.
According to the Huffington Post’s Yashar Ali, The New York Times is close to publishing a negative story about the comedian that has been brewing for weeks.
In two pieces published in 2012 and 2015, Gawker ran stories from anonymous tips alleging that C.K. exposed himself to two female comedians at the Aspen Comedy Festival in 2008.
“I Love You Daddy,” was written, directed, edited, produced, and stars C.K. as a a seasoned writer in the entertainment industry who tries to stop his teenage daughter (Chloe Grace Moretz) from her growing relationship with an aging filmmaker, played by John Malkovich.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and attracted controversy due to several jokes about child rape and the use of racial slurs by C.K.’s character.
The film was also criticized for its homage to the works of director Woody Allen, particularly his 1979 film “Manhattan,” which also follows a teenage actress’ relationship with a much older man.
Malkovich’s character was widely taken to be a proxy for Allen, paralleling the filmmaker’s history. The film opens in L.A. and New York this weekend and expands to major cities next weekend.