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'Buffy' Star Won't Comment On Joss Whedon Abuse Until After Spinal Surgery For His Paralyzed Penis
Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon recently underwent emergency spinal surgery after an accident slipping on ice left his anus and penis paralyzed.
But prior to his urgent surgery, Brendon said he would not comment on allegations of abuse and professional misconduct against Buffyshow creator Joss Whedon at the moment because he "had a relationship" with him.
Whedon's career in films catapulted when Marvel Studios announced him as the writer and director of the first Avengers movie. He later returned to write and direct Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015.
He also co-wrote the script for the DC Extended Universe superhero film Justice League in 2017 and replaced Zack Snyder as the director on re-shoots.
A few years later, his reputation as a feminist was questioned when an old Wonder Woman script he penned in 2006—before Patty Jenkins signed to direct the critically and commercially successful 2017 film—leaked online the same year as Jenkins' Wonder Woman opened in theaters.
Whedon's leaked Wonder Woman script was considered by many to be sexist as it purportedly focused more on Diana Prince's male co-star, Steve Trevor, than on the eponymous superhero character.
Scrutiny towards Whedon intensified when Justice League star Ray Fisher alleged Whedon engaged in "gross, abusive, unprofessional and completely unacceptable" behavior on the set of the 2017 film.
But Brendon, who portrayed Xander Harris in Buffy, spoke about his apprehension to officially comment on Whedon's allegations.
"I'm not speaking on Joss yet," said the 49-year-old actor in a Facebook video.
"It's very personal for me so I'll speak on that when I'm ready to speak on that because he and I had a relationship."
"It's a big part of my life, a very emotional part of my life and I want to give it the proper respect and time that it deserves.
"When things happen in life like this with social media and stuff, it's hard for me. It makes me sick. It's not just something I want to make a comment on, do you know what I mean?"
He later talked about the complexity of his personal relationship with Whedon and admitted there were "transgressions" without being specific.
"I mean, unless you know Joss, it's just kinda, like... I just hope that growth comes, and healing, and him being a better person and better people... 'Cause I think that's what every day is about. You know what I mean?"
"Not beating somebody up…I mean, were there transgressions? Yeah, there were. To me as well, you know what I mean? It's like, I had my relationship with Joss as well. And I love him."
"You know, you take... I mean for me, I took the good, I took the bad...but that's not everybody."
Brendon promised an official statement would follow after his surgery.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to get some spinal surgery tomorrow and heal and come up with a statement that represents me."
While many on social media were scratching their heads over the bizarre headline circulating on the internet about his injury, some fans stood by Brendon's decision about not immediately responding to the allegations.
You can watch Brendon's Facebook video, here:
"Nicky slipped on ice a few days ago & hurt his back. He's having a hard time sitting up or getting comfortable. Trying to get him to the doctor ASAP."
On the subject of his health in the Facebook video, Brendon said he was feeling "nauseous and hung up" after his back injury, adding it makes him "always feel like I gotta sh*t."
He added:
"My anus is kinda paralysed and so is my penis, which is weird. I gotta sit down to p*ss because I don't know if I'm sh*tting or p*ssing."
"It's crazy. Good times is what I say."
In an update, Allison said Brendon finished his emergency surgery and the doctor said "he's doing well."
Earlier this month, Carpenter—who was Brendon's on-screen love interest Cordelia Chase on Buffy and Angel—shared her story of Whedon's toxic behavior on set in a statement on Instagram.
"While he found his misconduct amusing, it only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me, and alienate me from my peers," said the 50-year-old actress.
"The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer. It is with a beating, heavy heart that I say I coped in isolation and, at times, destructively."
Whedon has not yet commented on the growing list of accusations.