Pepe Le Pew has reportedly been axed from the upcoming Space Jam movie amid claims that the character “added to rape culture”.
The French skunk, that featured in the first Space Jam movie filmed in 1996, is not expected to make a cameo appearance in Space Jam: A New Legacy, set to be released on July 16.
According to Deadline, scenes that featured Pepe Le Pew were recorded in 2019 but failed to make the final cut in the new film.
The news comes after a New York Times columnist suggested that the character – known for his lustful ways – “added to rape culture”.
The upcoming movie was originally being directed by Terence Nance, however in 2019 he left the production and handed the reins over to Malcolm D. Lee.
Pepe Le Pew starred in the original 1996 Space Jam movie (Image: Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
Deadline has also reported that Pepe Le Pew’s original scene featured the character facing his comeuppance as he gets a drink poured on him for hitting on a woman.
The character was also expected to reveal in the cut scene that Penelope cat had filed a restraining order against him.
It is under the guidance of new director Lee that Pepe Le Pew was removed from production, prior to the New York Times critique coming out.
The character was accused of ‘adding to rape culture’
According to the publication, actress Greice Santo – who provided a voice over during the Pepe scene – expressed dismay about the scene being cut.
“This was such a big deal for Greice to be in this movie,” a spokesperson told Deadline.
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“Even though Pepe is a cartoon character, if anyone was going to slap a sexual harasser like him, Greice wished it would be her.
They added: “Now the scene is cut, and she doesn’t have that power to influence the world through younger generations who’ll be watching Space Jam 2, to let younger girls and younger boys know that Pepe’s behavior is unacceptable.”
Pepe Lew Pew was known for his lustful ways especially around character Penelope cat
The New York Times columnist’s critique is believed to have come after the character was cut from the upcoming movie.
Defending the statement following a backlash, columnist Charles M. Blow also wrote: “RW blogs are mad bc I said Pepe Le Pew added to rape culture. Let’s see. 1. He grabs/kisses a girl/stranger, repeatedly, w/o consent and against her will. 2. She struggles mightily to get away from him, but he won’t release her 3. He locks a door to prevent her from escaping.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
