Viacom CBS now claims it will air Showtime Comey movie ahead of election

The director of the cable film model of fired FBI chief James Comey’s reserve “A Better Loyalty” flipped his lid after understanding that the flick would air following the November election — and now ViacomCBS says it will reconsider the conclusion and shift up the air date.

Equally Comey and the director, Billy Ray, mentioned they were being let down in the previously determination to hold off the flick, called “The Comey Rule,” the New York Situations reported Tuesday.

“I never fully grasp why CBS would sit on a movie about important present gatherings, and I hope the American folks get the likelihood to see it quickly,” Comey reported in a assertion.

In an email to solid customers Monday, Ray also lamented the decision, according to a copy attained by Deadline.

“I know what a disappointment this is to you. It is for me much too — since while I’ve built movies about my nation before, this was the 1st time I at any time designed a film for my nation. We all were hoping to get this tale in front of the American persons months ahead of the coming election. And that was a acceptable expectation thinking about that we’d been presented a mandate by the network to do whatsoever was essential to supply by Might 15,” Ray wrote.

“But at some position in March or April, that mandate changed. Word commenced drifting again to me that a determination about our airdate experienced been created at the incredibly highest stages of Viacom: all communicate of our airing ahead of the election was instantly a ‘non-starter.’ I and my fellow producers questioned for a likelihood to plead our circumstance on the issue, but we have been told that even the dialogue itself was a ‘non-starter,” he ongoing.

“Why? I don’t know. The health of a media organization depends on attracting audiences — and our movie, aired in August of an election calendar year, would have been extremely large information. Can you picture the billboards? Comey Vs. Trump! A solid loaded with Emmy winners! However right here we are. I am deeply sorry that I didn’t get this one particular.”

But considering the fact that he sent his electronic mail, ViacomCBS seems to be acquiring next feelings.

“We will be saying various modifications to our schedule and ‘The Comey Rule’ is most probable relocating to air in advance of the election,” a spokeswoman for Showtime, on whose system the motion picture will air, stated Tuesday.

The flick stars Jeff Daniels as Comey, who served as the prime G-person from 2013 right until Trump fired him in May well 2017.

The president is performed by Brendan Gleeson, an Irish actor recognised for his portrayal of Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody in the “Harry Potter” films.