Ray Fisher accuses Warner Bros of 'racist conversations' surrounding 'Justice League' reshoots

Ray Fisher has accused key Warner Bros figures of engaging in “blatantly racist conversations” during the Justice League reshoots helmed by Joss Whedon.

The 33-year-old star, who played Cyborg in the movie, made the remarks in an interview with Forbes to discuss his long-running battle over allegations of misconduct on the set.

Read more: Zack Snyder confirms additional Justice League filming

Fisher claimed that there was an “erasure of people of colour” from the movie after Whedon took over, which was “neither an accident nor coincidence”.

He noted that actors of colour including Kiersey Clemons, Zheng Kai, Joe Morton and Karen Bryson had their roles either reduced, or cut entirely from the finished product.

Watch: Jason Momoa supports Ray Fisher’s Justice League claims

A representative for Whedon denied claims of racism on the part of the director, including in relation to an incendiary claim that was later removed from the article after being picked up by several news outlets.

“Mr Fisher had no first hand knowledge to support any of the wild allegations he made about Mr Whedon and others associated with the film," Whedon’s attorney said in a statement.

Read more: Jared Leto to play Joker again in Snyder Cut

Fisher added: “Race was just one of the issues with the reshoot process. There were massive blow-ups, threats, coercion, taunting, unsafe work conditions, belittling, and gaslighting like you wouldn’t believe.”

The star’s campaign began in June, when the actor retracted praise he had previously offered to Whedon during a Comic-Con appearance to promote the movie.

He later accused Whedon of being “abusive and unprofessional” and has directed allegations at other key figures on the set including Geoff Johns, Jon Berg and Toby Emmerich.

In the Forbes interview, Fisher claimed that all of his allegations are already known to Warner Bros and said it’s “equal parts freeing and frustrating” that he is having to advocate for himself.

Read more: Snyder confirms UK release for new Justice League cut

Fisher said he has the backing of acting union SAG-AFTRA, as well as co-stars including Jason Momoa, who has supported him publicly.

He said he is hopeful that a new investigator appointed by WarnerMedia — after controversy surrounding an initial investigation — will be able to uncover the truth.

Zack Snyder is currently hard at work on his own reshoots ahead of the release of a four-part Snyder Cut of Justice League heading to streaming service HBO Max next year.

Fisher is believed to be involved with this additional photography, despite his ongoing dispute with the studio.

Read more: Snyder discusses pressure around new Justice League film

The new version of Justice League will reintroduce Clemons as Flash love interest Iris West and is believed to enhance Cyborg’s role as well.

It does not have a confirmed release date yet, but will land on HBO Max in 2021.

Watch: Trailer for the Snyder Cut of Justice League