Bryan Singer will not participate in upcoming ‘X-Men’ media events

Bryan Singer, the director accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy in the late 1990s, said on Thursday he will not participate in media events to promote his upcoming film “X-Men: Days of Future Past.�

Breaking his silence since the complaint against him was filed by Michael Egan last week, Singer, in an emailed statement, called the lawsuit “a sick twisted shake down.�

Plaintiff Egan claimed in his federal lawsuit filed in Hawaii that he was forced into a “sordid sex ring� in the entertainment industry in which underage boys were supplied alcohol and drugs. Egan alleges that the assaults took place at parties in California and Hawaii when he was 17.

In a statement, Singer denied the allegations, calling them “outrageous, vicious and completely false.�

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The $200-million sequel “X-Men: Days of Future Past� opens in U.S. theaters May 23. Singer said in the statement he does not want the “fictitious claims to divert ANY attention from the movie.

“This fantastic film is a labor of love and one of the greatest experiences of my career,� he said. “So, out of respect to all of the extraordinary contributions from the incredibly talented actors and crew involved, I’ve decided not to participate in the upcoming media events for the film.�

Singer added, “I promise when this situation is over, the facts will show this to be the sick twisted shake down it is. I want to thank fans, friends and family for all their amazing and overwhelming support.�

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