Javier Bardem defends Woody Allen again, calls abuse allegations ‘gossip’

Javier Bardem is doubling down on his support for Woody Allen, arguing that the sexual abuse allegations made against the director are “gossip” and that people are innocent until proven guilty.

“Pointing fingers at someone is very dangerous if it hasn’t been legally proven,” Bardem, 52, told The Guardian of his stance on Allen, 86, adding, “Beyond that, it’s just gossip.”

He continued, “I try to go where logic dictates, which is: Let’s follow the rules that exist to establish whether someone is guilty or innocent. If the case re-opens and he is proven to be guilty, I will be the first to say, ‘What a horrible thing.’ But so far, I haven’t seen that.”

Bardem, who starred in Allen’s 2008 film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” was dragged in 2018 when he said he would work with Allen again after the director’s estranged daughter, Dylan Farrow, accused him of sexual abuse. Allen has vehemently denied Farrow’s claims.

“He’s a genius,” Bardem said during the 2018 Lumière Film Festival in France, adding that despite being in the #MeToo era, “I would work with him tomorrow.”

He reiterated at the time that Allen had not been found guilty of any crime.

“Public accusations are very dangerous,” he continued. “If some day there is a trial and it’s proven to be true, I would change my opinion, but at this moment, nothing has changed.”

Bardem’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” co-star Scarlett Johansson has also defended Allen, saying in 2019, “I love Woody. I believe him, and I would work with him anytime.”

Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Hall – who both starred in Allen’s “A Rainy Day In New York” – have denounced the director.