Warner Bros Agrees to Share Unseen 2011 Footage in Russell Brand Assault Case

Trigger Warning: This article includes references to sexual abuse

Russell Brand, known for his bold comedy and films, is once again in serious legal trouble. While he has already been charged in the UK, the actor now faces a civil sexual assault case in the United States as well.

As reported by The Times, Warner Bros. Discovery has offered to submit previously unseen outtake footage from the 2011 movie Arthur. This move comes in connection with a lawsuit filed by an extra who accused Brand of inappropriate behaviour on set.

In 2023, an anonymous woman—identified as Jane Doe—filed a case against both Russell Brand and Warner Bros. She alleged that the comedian exposed himself to others and sexually assaulted her in a lavatory during the shoot of Arthur. Both Brand and the studio denied the allegations at that time.

Now, Warner Bros. has informed the court that they have several hours of unused footage from the film set. Patrick Lamparello, the studio’s lawyer, stated during a New York Supreme Court hearing that “some hours of video outtake footage … four or five hours, it could be more, around eight,” were available.

During the same hearing, Brand’s lawyers requested to delay the civil proceedings, citing the ongoing criminal case in the UK. They claimed there could be legal overlap. However, Judge Shlomo Hagler rejected the request, allowing the case to move forward.

Mark Cuccaro, representing Brand in the U.S., told the court his client believes a criminal case might also be filed against him in the States. “He has a reasonable belief that criminal prosecution is possible in the U.S. based on allegations tantamount to criminal sexual misconduct,” Cuccaro said. He further claimed the actor has been falsely accused by Jane Doe and “several others through the media.”

Meanwhile, in the UK, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that Russell Brand has been charged with rape, indecent assault, oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault. These charges relate to incidents between 1999 and 2005.

One of the accusers alleged rape in Bournemouth. Another said Brand indecently assaulted her in Westminster in 2001. A third woman claimed oral rape and sexual assault in 2004. The fourth accusation involved abuse and assault between 2004 and 2005 in the Westminster area.

These allegations surfaced in September 2023 after a joint investigation by Channel 4, The Times, and The Sunday Times. That investigation included claims of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013.

Russell Brand has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty. He earlier released a statement calling the claims “very, very hurtful.” He continues to maintain his innocence. On April 4, Jaswant Narwal of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised the charges after reviewing evidence from the police. “We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary,” she said.

The CPS also reminded the public that legal proceedings are ongoing and should not be influenced. “It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings,” their statement added. With cases now active in both the UK and US, the coming months will be crucial for Brand. As the court processes begin, all eyes are on the outcome.