Embattled ”Empire” star Jussie Smollett is no longer set to co-star in the Broadway revival of “Take Me Out.”
Reports claim that the lingering effects of the hate crime controversy are still being felt as Hollywood influencers are backing away from the actor.
Deadline reports that Jussie was a shoo-in for the lead role in a revival of the 2003 Tony Award-winning play “Take Me Out” and is now suddenly and seemingly without reason no longer being considered.
Smollett delivered a reading for the lead role in New York City just 12 hours before allegedly faking a racist and anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago. He was later “cut” from the 2020 Second Stage Theater revival of the play about a mixed-race baseball star who comes out as gay, in which he was set to star as the main character Darren Lemming, with co-star “Star Trek” actor Zachary Quinto.
The production, which was announced last month, will be directed by Scott Ellis with previews set to begin in March of 2020.
The city of Chicago is currently suing Smollett for $130,106, and even though he was officially cleared of all charges, he’s paying the price. However, a source close to the production tells Deadline that “Smollett did indeed read for the lead role in January but that no casting decisions had, or have, been made.”
