Amazon Studios has denied Hong Kong press reports that Nicole Kidman walked off the production of "Expats" in Hong Kong. Instead, filming is to continue despite ongoing controversy.
"Nicole wrapped as scheduled, she did not leave early. She always had other projects she was committed to. The production is not stalled or on hiatus, it was always going to continue shooting without her," said an Amazon spokesman in a comment emailed to Variety.
....
Hong Kong online news publication HK01 reported Sunday that Kidman and series director Lulu Wang ("The Farewell") had creative differences that led to the disruption.
The production of "Expats" has been dogged by various scandals, ranging from the political appropriateness and context of the story, to the quarantine exemption granted to Kidman upon her arrival in Hong Kong. Other cast members include Saraya Blue and Jack Huston.
Since filming began, Hong Kong media have reported that Wang and Kidman argued while filming in a street market. Sources close to the production deny a rift between star and director.
Kidman is an executive producer on the series through her Blossom Films production company and also stars in the show, which is adapted from a Janice Y. K. Lee novel about the privileged lives of a group of expatriate women. Details of her character have not been confirmed by Amazon.
Wang and the series garnered criticism for the show's focus on the lives of a minority group of rich, mostly Caucasian foreigners. Many of Wang's social media posts over the summer were also criticized for a perceived sense of entitlement and indifference to Hong Kong's political context, and claims that she is making an independent movie.