The Armie Hammer Comeback Has Begun (Sort of)
Four years after allegations of sexual assault and cannibalism by former partners tanked his career, Armie Hammer is inching his way back into the film industry. The Call Me by Your Name and The Social Network star has returned to work on low-budget indie projects.
He has wrapped shooting on two new films: Frontier Crucible, a period western from director Travis Mills and Bone Tomahawk producer Dallas Sonnier, which Voltage Pictures is selling at Berlin’s EFM; and The Dark Knight, the latest feature from prolific German director Uwe Boll (Postal, Rampage). The Boll film, which shot in Croatia, sees Hammer playing the film’s titular crimefighter. Boll also wrote the script, about a vigilante who becomes a social media sensation, drawing the ire of the local police chief.
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Hammer set the jobs up himself. He was dropped by his agency, WME, and publicly ostracized after multiple former partners came forward to accuse the actor of sexual assault and other disturbing accusations. Hammer strongly denied the allegations and, following a lengthy probe, Los Angeles prosecutors in 2023 declined to charge the actor with any crime.
While major studios remain reluctant to take him back, Hammer insists he’s unbothered by the industry’s cold shoulder. “I don’t need to be back making big studio films,” he says in an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m happy just making fun, smaller movies for now.”
Hammer seems keen on taking control of his own narrative. He’s launched The Armie HammerTime podcast to share his story and speak candidly (if selectively) about his personal and professional struggles. As for his well-being, the actor says he remains in therapy and, in his words, practices “behavioral sobriety” if not necessarily the traditional kind.
At Hammer’s insistence, this interview was conducted by email with Hammer reserving the right not to answer certain questions.
How does it feel to be working as an actor again? What can you tell us about your role in this film, Dark Knight?
It feels great to be working again, but it feels even better knowing whether I’m working or not it doesn’t define me. That being said, it’s fun playing a vigilante who is set on justice.
What sort of offers are you getting and what sort of work are you looking to do?
There are a lot of offers coming in, which is a lovely change of pace from the last three years. And I guess what I’m trying to do is just work and have fun and not take anything too seriously.
What other projects do you have coming up?
After I wrap Dark Knight, there is a potential film in the Philippines as well as some independent films that shoot in America.
How does this lifestyle, that of a working actor in indie films, compare to the high point of your career before things went south for you?
Honestly, it’s a lot of fun making smaller films. The pace is faster, the effort is also a team effort. And everyone feels like they are just happy to be working.
Are you doing this — getting jobs, negotiating terms — all on your own or do you have any representation? Are you looking for an agent again?
Currently, I just have my attorney Todd [Rubenstein, at York Levin] fielding offers and it is working well, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
You are hosting your own podcast, in which you discuss your personal journey alongside your interviews. How important is it for you to be in control of how your story is told?
Personally speaking, it’s great to have my own space to do and say what I want without anyone telling me what I can or can’t do. As far as my “story,” I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion but I don’t really need anyone to see my side or agree.
How would you assess the way your story was told in the media — what did the reporting get right, what did it miss?
I think confirmation bias played a part of it, as well as mass hysteria… people said the word “cannibal” and everyone said: “That makes sense, he eats people.” What a time to be alive. In hindsight, it is hilarious. Just as a social observation.
What would you like the public, your fans and your detractors, to know about the allegations against you and about the women who have made them?
“What other people think about me is none of my business.”
Other “canceled” actors like Johnny Depp and Kevin Spacey, who, like you, were never found guilty of any crimes, have been treated as untouchable by major studios, agencies and streaming platforms. Why is that? Do you see a way back for you into the mainstream studio industry?
If being “canceled” qualifies me to answer this question, it’s my only qualification. I wouldn’t say that my goal is to get back to the mainstream business — which I think isn’t in a good place anyway. I’m happy just making fun, smaller movies for now. I don’t need to be back making big studio films.
Are you still in therapy? Are you still sober?
Yup. And I don’t necessarily practice physical sobriety, but behavioral sobriety is very important to me.
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