Louis C.K.'s movie premiere canceled in advance of N.Y. Times story

The New York premiere of Louis C.K.'s upcoming film, I Love You, Daddy, has been canceled. The event, which was planned to be held at the Paris Theatre, will no longer take place with reps for the premiere, citing, "unexpected circumstances."

A source tells The Hollywood Reporter that a New York Times story on the comedian is about to break, and the premiere was canceled in case it is damaging. His planned Friday appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was also canceled, with William H. Macy taking his place on the CBS show.

Louis C.K. wrote, directed and stars in I Love You, Daddy. The comedy-drama tells the story of a successful TV writer-producer that attempts to stop his 17-year-old daughter’s (Chloe Grace Moretz) growing admiration and relationship with a 68-year-old filmmaker (John Malkovich). The film also stars Pamela Aldon, Rose Byrne, Charlie Day, Edie Falco and Helen Hunt.

C.K. shot the film entirely in secret last June. He also financed the project and edited it as well. 3 Arts' Dave Becky produced the film alongside C.K., Chatman, Ryan Cunningham and John Skidmore. Tony Hernandez executive produced.

The film has generated controversy following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. TIFF programmers screened and gave I Love You, Daddy a world premiere after C.K. rang surprised Toronto organizers to know the film actually existed.

Controversial dialogue is included throughout the film, including the use of the N-word by C.K.’s character and multiple jokes about child rape. C.K. previously defended the inappropriate content to THR. “We’re depicting oxygen-rich people who live in these beautiful apartments and offices saying whatever they want,” he said. “Folks say shit to each other. You can’t think about the audience when you’re making the thing. If you do, you’re not giving them something that came out of your gut. You’ll be making something that you’re like, ‘Is this O.K. for you?’”

The film pays homage to the cinematic work of Woody Allen, particularly the 1979 film Manhattan. In the Allen film, a 17-year-old girl (Mariel Hemingway) begins a romantic relationship with a 42-year-old man played by Allen.

A common criticism of I Love You, Daddy is that the film parallels that the long-standing sexual abuse allegations against Allen.

"We’re at the bleeding edge of 'That’s not OK to do now,' but those people are still around," C.K. said about dealing with the controversial topics dealt with in the film. "That’s a very interesting line to be on.”

On Late Night, Macy was supposed to be Friday's guest, so they just moved him to Thursday and added John Mulaney as Friday's guest.