Forgetting Sarah Marshall cast's controversies from rape allegations to PR fail

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Some of the actors from Forgetting Sarah Marshall haven
Some of the actors from Forgetting Sarah Marshall haven't had the best year (Image: Universal Pictures)

Film fanatics on Twitter have noted that it "hasn't been a great year" for fans of the 2008 romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, or it's sequel Get Him To The Greek.

The movies star Russell Brand, Jonah Hill and Mila Kunis, three actors who have been involved in controversies this year. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Peter Bretter (Jason Segal) decides to go for a Hawaiian vacation but is in for a rude shock when he finds out that his ex-girlfriend Sarah Marshall (Kirsten Bell) has checked in at the same resort as him.

Sarah is now dating rock star Aldous Snow (Russell) but while staying at the resort, Peter falls for Rachel (Mila). Jonah Hill features in a minor role in the movie as Matthew the Waiter but in the sequel, he becomes Aaron Green, an ambitious executive at a record company.

He must escort Aldous to Los Angeles' Greek Theatre for the first stop on a lucrative comeback-concert tour. Snow, however, has different plans and vows to win his true love back before starting the tour, forcing Aaron to pull out all the stops to get him on stage in time. While the films were universally loved, fans have had a hard time watching them back amid the actors' controversies.

Russell Brand

Forgetting Sarah Marshall cast's controversies from rape allegations to PR fail eiqduirtiqrrinvFans think Forgetting Sarah Marshall is now cursed (Universal Pictures)

The comedian - who re-positioned himself from an actor to an online personality in recent years - was accused of sexual assault, rape and emotional abuse following a joint investigation with The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches.

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Brand released a video statement saying he “absolutely refutes” the allegations against him which he described as “very, very serious criminal allegations”. The documentary and article saw four unnamed women make allegations of incidents with Brand, said to have taken place at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013. Following its release, four more women have come forward with further allegations.

The eighth alleged victim spoke out, claiming Russell "ripped her tights" and refused to call a cab for her until she performed a sex act on him. However, she noted that they had consensual sex but she later felt "forced and coerced".

The allegations come just a day after another alleged victim claimed that Brand exposed his "flaccid penis on his hand" to a woman in Los Angeles just moments before laughing about the incident live on BBC Radio 2.

Jonah Hill

Forgetting Sarah Marshall cast's controversies from rape allegations to PR failSarah and Jonah used to date (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall cast's controversies from rape allegations to PR failJonah was labelled as a misogynist (Corbis via Getty Images)


Jonah was hit with allegations from his ex-girlfriend and professional surfer from Sarah Brady back in July. Sharing pictures of herself in a bikini on Instagram, she alleged that Jonah had requested she take the pictures down during her romance. "Reviving a pic I took down by request of a narcissistic misogynist" she captioned one.

Although she didn't initially say she was talking about Jonah, Sarah shared a slew of screenshots of an alleged conversation the pair had. Alongside some of the screenshots she penned: "Kind of unbelievable that a man who sent me s*** like this ... would then be upset I didn't read his mind and take down pics of that once I was in a relationship."

In one text shared on Sarah's story and published by TMZ, Jonah said: "Plain and simple. If you need: Surfing with men. Boundaryless inappropriate friendships with men. To model. To post pictures of yourself in a bathing suit. To post sexual pictures. Friendships with women who are in unstable places and from your wild recent past beyond getting a lunch or coffee or something respectful. I am not the right partner for you." Jonah has yet to comment on the allegations.

Mila Kunis

Forgetting Sarah Marshall cast's controversies from rape allegations to PR failMila and Ashton have since apologised (Getty Images)

Mila and her husband Ashton Kutcher wrote letters vouching for disgraced actor and convicted rapist Danny Masterson before his sentencing, documents show. The documents, obtained by ABC News, reveal the actors 'spoke highly' of Masterson.

According to reports from ABC News and Good Morning America, Kutcher referred to Masterson as a "role model" and Kunis commended his "exceptional character". Kunis’ letter says, “I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson’s exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him.

"His dedication to leading a drug-free life and the genuine care he extends to others make him an outstanding role model and friend," it read. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years behind bars earlier this month for the rape of two women.

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A third case was brought against him, but was dismissed when the jury could not come to a unanimous decision. Prior to the sentencing, the judge heard impact statements from his accusers. Mila and Ashton later released an apology video for any pain caused.

If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999. Alternatively, if you are based in the US and are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its website to receive confidential support.

Lauren Gordon

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