Apple Resets ‘The Banker’ Premiere Following Abuse Allegations

The release of what was slated to be Apple TV+’s first theatrically released film, The Banker, is now a go. The company previously pulled the film from the AFI Film Fest in November and cancelled its theatrical premiere following allegations of abuse towards producer Bernard Garrett Jr. Now, however, Apple recently announced The Banker will now have a theatrical release in March, followed by a release on the Apple TV+ platform two weeks later.

Allegations toward Garrett came from two relatives, half-sisters Cynthia and Sheila, accusing him of molesting them as children in the 1980s. Apple released a statement to EW stating they “wanted to take the time to understand the situation at hand — and after reviewing the information available to us, including documentation of the filmmakers’ research, we’ve decided to make this important and enlightening film available to viewers.” They recently confirmed that Garrett’s name will no longer be tied to the project, and that he “will not profit from the release of the film in any form, and that his credit as co-producer has been removed.”

The Banker, based on Garrett’s own father, Bernard Garrett Sr., follows the titular banker during the 1950s and 60s upon his hiring of a white man to act as the face of his growing real estate and banking business. Anthony Mackie takes on the role of Garrett Sr., joined by Samuel L. Jackson, Nia Long, and Nicholas Hoult in supporting roles.