Starz and Lionsgate have suspended creator Ian Woolf from the drama series “BMF” after an alleged brawl with two striking Writers Guild of America writers in Atlanta on Thursday.
According to a series of tweets posted by WGA member Brian Agston and strike captain Gabriel Alejandro Garza, the pair were on a public sidewalk, not obstructing traffic, when Wolf pointed out an SUV he thought was driving toward Agston. was driving” like it was a weapon and slammed the writers’ break to within six feet.
Garza said Wolff looked straight at him as he “hit the accelerator one more time, then the brakes, and got even closer to us.” According to the pair, Wolfe said he was trying to intimidate them. Garza said he had a recording of Wolfe’s explanation.
“I urge you to consider the implications of being busy hating an African-American man on the streets of a city while you are the producer of an African-American TV show created by an African-American man, an African- American man,” Aguston wrote in an open letter to Woolf posted on Twitter on Thursday. “Mr. Woolf, your actions fueled a deep generational hatred for us. And that, sir, is a travesty for which you must be held accountable. If not by your superiors and peers, then by the people of Atlanta because the South will have something to say about what you did today. Should you choose to live in our city, where I will remind you that you are a guest, I beg you to lead with love and refrain from drumming up hatred and possible murder.
TV writer Tom Smuts, who is married to WGA President Meredith Stiehm, said he was there when the incident happened.
“Coordinating production pickets in Los Angeles and Georgia over the past five weeks, no one else has treated us like this,” he said. Tweeted, “And we will remain in solidarity here at the WGA and at Teamsters — in Los Angeles, New York, New Mexico, Georgia and wherever we need to be — until our labor and dignity are respected again.”
A Lionsgate spokesperson told TheWrap that the company “takes bullying and threats of violence very seriously” and that they are “thoroughly” investigating the incident.
“As we continue to investigate, we have sent the person involved home,” the studio said.
A spokesperson for the WGA told TheWrap that it is “working closely with members in distress during this incident to hold this individual accountable.”
“Workers should not be threatened with bodily harm while exercising their right to publicly protest and picket against unfair wages and working conditions,” the guild said. “Whoever harms or threatens to harm a member or supporter of the Writers’ Guild on the picket line must be held accountable for his actions.”
“BMF” is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Co-Creator of Power Universe, For Life), along with showrunner, executive producer and writer Randy Huggins (Star, Rebel, Power). The show is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Lionsgate Television for Starz.
In addition to “BMF,” Woolf’s other producing credits include “Queens,” “Mr. Mercedes,” “Seal Team,” and “Criminal Minds.” Woolf did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
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