Producer Scott Rudin, who took a step back from the film and theater industry in 2021 following serious workplace abuse allegations, is planning a comeback on Broadway. According to a report from The New York Times published on Friday, Rudin is currently developing a series of exciting Broadway productions. Among these are “Little Bear Ridge Road,” a play by Samuel D. Hunter which will feature acclaimed actress Laurie Metcalf and be directed by Joe Mantello this fall.
In addition to this production, Rudin is also working on “Montauk,” a new play by David Hare, once again starring Metcalf and directed by Mantello, which is slated for release next spring. Furthermore, he is set to produce a revival of the classic play “Death of a Salesman” featuring Nathan Lane, Metcalf, and Mantello for the following season. This marks a significant return for Rudin, who had been ostracized from the industry after reports surfaced of his abusive behavior toward employees.
The allegations against Rudin were shocking, detailing instances where he threw objects at staff, including a stapler and even a baked potato. Reports also indicated that he berated employees and threatened them with career repercussions if they chose to leave his employment. One particularly troubling incident involved Rudin smashing a computer monitor on an assistant's hand, leading to an emergency room visit. These troubling revelations emerged in the wake of the MeToo movement, which prompted a reevaluation of abusive workplace conditions across Hollywood and beyond.
Addressing his past actions, Rudin expressed remorse in an interview with The New York Times, acknowledging his previous behavior and the changes he has made since. “I have a lot more self-control than I had four years ago,” Rudin stated. He recognized the necessity for personal growth, saying, “I learned I don’t matter that much, and I think that’s very healthy. I don’t want to let anybody down. Not just myself. My husband, my family, and collaborators.”
Rudin reflected on the inevitability of his downfall, stating, “What happened in ’21 was in some basic way inevitable. Very little was said that hadn’t been said many times. So I always felt that once the culture started to change, one day it was going to change for me.” His return to Broadway comes after a notable career where he produced major hits like “The Book of Mormon” and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” as well as acclaimed films such as the Academy Award-winning “No Country for Old Men” and “The Social Network.” Notably, he is among the few to achieve EGOT status, having received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
The fallout from the allegations was significant, leading to A24 terminating its business relationship with Rudin. In his remarks, he acknowledged the mixed truths in the accusations, stating, “A lot of what was said was true. Some of what was said wasn’t true. But I didn’t feel there was any point in responding to all of it because what’s the point of parsing bad behavior? It was bad behavior. I own it.”
Rudin admitted to understanding his rough demeanor, saying, “I knew why I was rough on people. For a long time, it seemed like a price I could live with. I wasn’t really thinking about what price other people could live with, because producing at the level of volume that I was requires a level of narcissism.”
The backlash from the allegations was swift, with several Broadway stars, including Karen Olivo from “Moulin Rouge” and Sutton Foster from “Music Man,” calling for their productions to sever ties with Rudin. The controversy also led to the cancellation of the reopening of Aaron Sorkin’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” play. In the wake of these events, Rudin publicly apologized, stating, “I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior has caused, and I take this step with a commitment to grow and change.”
As he looks toward the future, Rudin remains hopeful about his return to the stage. He commented, “I’m going to try to come back and make some more good work, and people will feel how they feel. And if some people are really angry about it, they’ll have the right to be angry about it. I own what I did. I feel proud of the work overall, and badly about the cost of it to some people who worked on it.” Rudin's journey serves as a reminder of the ongoing conversation around accountability and change within the entertainment industry.
