Clifford “T.I.” Harris will not be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to reprise his role in the Ant-Man film series.
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news and said it is unknown if this is related to the recent sexual abuse allegations levied against him and his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris.
T.I. portrayed Dave, one of Scott Lang / Ant-Man (Paul Rudd)’s friends, in the first two films.
The couple is accused of sexual abuse, drugging and kidnapping by at least 10 women and one man, according to Deadline. The crimes span 15 years.
As Deadline reports, attorney Tyrone Blackburn held a press conference with allegations accusing the entertainers of the various crimes. Blackburn said that while his firm is representing 11 of the accusers, there are actually “over 30 women” who have contacted the firm regarding the Harrises. Blackburn said the Harrises were able to commit these crimes with the help of people in their circle.
Blackburn said that the couple, “aided by several individuals in their employ, have kidnapped [victims], drugged them, raped them, and terrorized them with threats of death or physical bodily harm.” Blackburn also added in a letter to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra that the incidents have taken place in Los Angeles as well as Florida and Georgia. Claims included in that letter include rape allegations as well as T.I. allegedly threatening to kill a woman and placing a gun to her head.
Filming on the popular VH1 series T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle has been suspended indefinitely once the allegations came to light in February.
Per Deadline, the Harrises attorney had the following to say about the allegations: “Clifford (T.I.) and Tameka Harris deny in the strongest possible terms these unsubstantiated and baseless allegations. We are confident that if these claims are thoroughly and fairly investigated, no charges will be forthcoming. These allegations are nothing more than the continuation of a sordid shakedown campaign that began on social media. The Harrises implore everyone not to be taken in by these obvious attempts to manipulate the press and misuse the justice system.”
