Director Matthew Newton has left Jessica Chastain's "Eve" in light of an online backlash to his alleged history of assault.
"Yesterday I notified Jessica Chastain and the other producers on the film 'Eve' that I will be stepping down as director. Since the announcement of this film, the responses, which are powerful and important, have not fallen on deaf ears. I am profoundly aware that I have a responsibility to lead where I have failed in the past. I can never undo the harm that I've caused the people I've cared about and I carry that shame and responsibility with me every day.
"Over the past eight years, I have been working extensively with healthcare professionals to help me overcome my addiction and mental health illness. For the past six years I have lived a quiet and sober life. All I can do now is try to be a living amends and hopefully contribute to the positive change occurring in our industry," Newton said in a statement.
The Australian director's assault and domestic violence accusations date back to 2007 when he pleaded guilty to physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, actor Brooke Satchwell.
In 2010, Newton's then-fiancee Rachael Taylor accused him of "two unprovoked assaults" and was granted a two-year domestic violence order against him, an order he later breached.
Chastain, a leading voice in the Time's Up movement, was called to action in a Care2 petition that asked for her to drop Newton from the film. "
"Time's Up for rich and powerful men being absolved of horrific abuse against women," read the petition.
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