Amazon MGM Files Demurrer Calling 'Criminal' Accuser an 'Opportunist'

Key points

Amazon MGM and Ed Brubaker filed a demurrer against Ijaaz Noohu's lawsuit, labeling his claims 'meritless' and calling him an 'opportunist.'

The defense specifically rejected the allegation that Brubaker pointed a functional firearm at Noohu, calling it 'pure invention' and noting that no one in the room reported it.

The filing argues Noohu waited 20 months to sue, timing the lawsuit to coincide with the press circuit for the series 'Criminal' to leverage a payday.

Noohu, a former production assistant, alleges sustained sexual, racial, and religious harassment on the set, claiming he was banned from the set and not credited.

A hearing on the demurrer is scheduled for October 15 before L.A. Superior Court Judge William Fahey.

Background

In September 2026, former production assistant Ijaaz Noohu filed a lawsuit against Ed Brubaker, Amazon MGM, and Big Indie Pictures. The complaint alleged a hostile work environment on the set of the Prime Video series 'Criminal,' including sexual and racial harassment, religious discrimination, and an incident involving a firearm. Noohu claimed he was fired in September 2024 and barred from the set. The series, based on the graphic novel by Brubaker and Sean Phillips, was ordered to series in January 2024 and features a cast including Charlie Hunnam and Emilia Clarke, but has not yet received a launch date.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline reports that Amazon MGM and other defendants spoke 'very loudly' in their response, explicitly calling Noohu an 'opportunist, not a victim.' The outlet notes that while a demurrer is a formality, the defendants chose to be aggressive in their defense. A.V. Club highlights the specific rebuttal of the firearm allegation, noting the defense's argument that in a 'post-Rust industry,' such an incident would have been reported by everyone present. Yahoo provides a more neutral summary of the legal filing, confirming the demurrer's assertion that the claims are meritless. All sources agree that the filing seeks to dismiss the case and that a hearing is set for October 15.

Why it matters

This legal battle highlights the increasing scrutiny of workplace conduct in the entertainment industry, particularly following the 'Rust' shooting. The aggressive defense strategy by Amazon MGM and Ed Brubaker signals a willingness to fight harassment claims in court rather than settle quietly. The outcome of the October 15 hearing could set a precedent for how studios handle internal misconduct allegations and the timing of such lawsuits relative to major press events.

What to watch

The next major step is the hearing on October 15, where Judge William Fahey will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed. The defense's argument that the timing of the lawsuit coincided with the press circuit for 'Criminal' will likely be a central point of contention. The series 'Criminal' remains without a launch date, and the outcome of this legal dispute could impact its production schedule and public perception.