Sean Penn Comments on Woody Allen Scandal: 'He Wasn't Proven Guilty'

The creator of such cinematic hits as "Annie Hall" and "Match Point" has gained the status of persona non grata in the film industry after his adopted daughter made public allegations of sexual harassment. Sean Penn has meanwhile come to the defense of the cursed filmmaker. The star of "Mystic River," who starred years ago in Woody Allen's musical comedy "Sweet and Lowdown," stated in a recent interview that he would accept an offer to star in his next production without hesitation. "He hasn't been proven guilty, so I consider him innocent," the two-time Oscar winner noted.

Woody Allen has been dealing with serious allegations against him for years, brought by his ex-partner Mia Farrow and their adoptive daughter Dylan. One of the most original and successful directors in Hollywood, creator of the so-called "intellectual comedy" and winner of four Oscars, was accused of sexually abusing his adopted daughter over three decades ago. The abuse allegedly occurred when the girl was 7 years old. As an adult, Dylan spoke about the abuse at the hands of her adoptive father in a widely commented open letter published in the New York Times in 2014.

In response to the letter, many Hollywood actors have admitted that they regretted working with Allen in the past. Kate Winslet, Colin Firth and Greta Gerwig have distanced themselves from the infamous director.

In turn, Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Hall decided to donate the money they received for participating in Allen's productions to the Time's Up movement, which was dedicated to supporting victims of sexual violence. Because of these accusations, the filmmaker at one point gained the inglorious status of persona non grata in Hollywood. It is for this reason that several of Allen's last films have not been shown in American cinemas.

Some stars, however, sided with the creator of "Annie Hall." Diane Keaton, Javier Bardem, and Scarlett Johansson came to his defense. Meanwhile, Sean Penn offered his support to the cursed director.

The 64-year-old actor, speaking on a new episode of the "Louis Theroux Podcast," revealed that he would have no hesitation in agreeing to work with him again. The gentlemen first met on the show over a quarter of a century ago - the star of "Mystic River" starred in Allen's musical comedy "Sweet and Lowdown," which debuted on screen in 1999.

"I would take the plunge and work with him. If the project was right," Penn revealed.

The actor noted that while he is not certain whether Dylan Farrow's allegations are factually accurate, he personally doubts their veracity.

"I don't know anyone well enough to say that this definitely didn't happen. Maybe I'm ignorant, but I've never heard from any clinical psychologist, psychiatrist or anyone else I've talked to about pedophilia that it's possible for someone to be accused of this type of crime only once in 80 years of their life. He hasn't been proven guilty, so I consider him innocent," Penn said.