Universal and Illumination Animation are the latest to distance themselves from embattled comedian Louis C.K.
“Universal Pictures and Illumination have terminated their relationship with Louis C.K. on The Secret Life of Pets 2,” reads a statement from the studio.
In 2016’s The Secret Life of Pets, the comedian voiced the lead dog, Max, and was set to reprise the role in the sequel, which is slated for a June 7, 2019, release.
The animated feature, which also starred Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper and Kevin Hart, was a massive success at the box office, pulling in $875 million globally.
Yesterday, The Orchard announced they no longer planned to release C.K.’s feature I Love You, Daddy after purchasing the movie out of TIFF for $5 million.
The indie distributor said it “will not be moving forward with the release” of the movie, which was set to open in select theaters on Nov. 17.
Yesterday, C.K. has been dropped by APA, 3 Arts and his publicist, Lewis Kay. FX Networks and FX Productions have cut ties with C.K. and has terminated the overall deal with his production company, Pig Newton.
“He will no longer serve as executive producer or receive compensation on any of the four shows we were producing with him — Better Things, Baskets, One Mississippi and The Cops,” FX said in a statement.
This article originally appeared in The Hollywood Reporter.
