”More than half of Jussie Smollett’s scenes on Empire have been axed and writers are scrambling to come up with changes to make up for the gaps, it has been claimed.
TMZ cites anonymous production sources who say that the 36-year-old had nine key scenes in the new string of episodes of the Fox show and one big musical.
But in the wake of allegations he staged his racist and homophobic attack, producers have scaled back his appearance in the fifth season of Empire.
Sources say five of his scenes and a musical have been cut entirely and he will no longer be the focus for his remaining four.
The sudden revision means extra work for the writers and the script has reportedly undergone multiple revisions in the past 24 hours.”
”Smollett, who strenuously denies lying and maintains he was the victim of a heinous, homophobic and racist ambush, is due to speak to investigators again and his team of attorneys says he is cooperating fully.
Two Nigerian-descent brothers who were brought in for questioning about the attack last week were released without charge after allegedly telling investigators that Smollett, who knew them, paid them to do it and told them to buy the rope he said was placed around his neck.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6720553/Jussie-Smolletts-scenes-Empire-cut.html