The article contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence.A new report details the troubling production of HBO's The Idol. Created by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, and Euphoria executive producer Sam Levinson, The Idol was first announced in June 2021. The story follows Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), an aspiring artist. After having a nervous breakdown which disrupts her career and planned tour, Jocelyn aims for a comeback and enters into a complicated relationship with the head of a contemporary cult (played by The Weeknd). Amy Seimetz, the director of the indie horror She Dies Tomorrow, was initially signed on to direct the HBO series. But she exited in April 2022, as the project underwent significant reshoots.

Now, a new report from Rolling Stone reveals fresh details about the trouble that's brewing behind the scenes of The Idol. As told by 13 anonymous sources, the production is described as a "sh--tshow." In particular, it's revealed that filming is behind schedule and the scripts are finished late. The report also delves into how many that have worked on The Idol have taken issue with the rewrites that occurred after Levinson took over from Seimetz and shifted the focus away from the female perspective. “What am I reading here?’” one source recalled. “It was like sexual torture porn.”

UPDATE: HBO has released a statement to Screen Rant responding to the report about The Idol's behind-the-scenes turmoil:

“The creators and producers of ‘The Idol’ have been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs. The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change. Throughout the process, the creative team has been committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and mutually respectful working environment, and last year, the team made creative changes they felt were in the best interest of both the production and the cast and crew. We look forward to sharing ‘The Idol’ with audiences soon."

Related: She Dies Tomorrow: The Horror Movie's Real Meaning Isn't What You Think

The Idol Controversy & Behind-The-Scenes Report Explained

The report about The Idol reveals the significant delay for the show, which has released three teaser trailers, but doesn't have a confirmed premiere date, has to do with the fact that Levinson scrapped the nearly-completed $54-75 million project to rewrite and reshoot it all. Sources claim that Levinson upped the sexual component of The Idol and weakened the component of female empowerment. One source claimed that "it was like any rape fantasy that any toxic man would have in the show — and then the woman comes back for more because it makes her music better."

Sources claim that in one scrapped script, there was a scene of The Weeknd's character inserting an egg into Jocelyn's vagina. The filmmakers could not shoot the scene without actually doing so. According to the report, Jocelyn begs for The Weeknd's character to rape her even though he refuses. In another scene, which was not sources say was not filmed, Jocelyn smiles and asks to be beaten more, giving The Weeknd's character an erection. The sources mention that it's unclear whether any of this will end up as part of the show, with the script constantly changing.

For those familiar with the drama on the set of Euphoria, with long hours, late scripts, and scrapped nude scenes, the report sounds like a continuation of a troubling trend for Levinson. But as the creator soon begins work on Euphoria season 3, it's not clear where the controversy and the problematic shift of perspective on The Idol will lead.

UPDATE: 2023/03/01 21:19 EST BY RACHEL LABONTE

The Weeknd Responds To Rolling Stone's The Idol Report

Since the publication of Rolling Stone's piece on The Idol's production, The Weeknd responded on Twitter with a relevant clip from the series, which can be seen below:

UPDATE: 2023/03/02 12:26 EST BY ALEXANDER HARRISON

Lilly Rose-Depp's Full Statement In Response To Rolling Stone's The Idol Report

“Sam is, for so many reasons, the best director I have ever worked with. Never have I felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input and opinions more valued. Working with Sam is a true collaboration in every way - it matters to him, more than anything, not only what his actors think about the work, but how we feel performing it. He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated.”

More: Euphoria’s Ending Is Flawed, But Doesn’t Ruin The Show - What It All Means

Source: Rolling Stone