Apple TV+ Movie 'The Banker' AFI Fest Premiere Canceled as Apple Investigates Film 'Concerns' [Update: Theatrical Release Delayed Too] - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple TV+ Movie 'The Banker' AFI Fest Premiere Canceled as Apple Investigates Film 'Concerns' [Update: Theatrical Release Delayed Too]

Upcoming Apple TV+ film "The Banker" was set to have its world premiere at the AFI Fest in Hollywood on Thursday, but its debut has been postponed by Apple, reports Deadline.

Apple is holding the show to investigate "recently uncovered and potentially damaging charges" surfaced by a family member of the late Bernard Garrett Sr, who the movie is based on.


In a statement, Apple said that "concerns" surrounding the film were brought to the company's attention, and its premiere has been delayed as Apple investigates.

We purchased The Banker earlier this year as we were moved by the film's entertaining and educational story about social change and financial literacy. Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps. In light of this, we are no longer premiering The Banker at AFI Fest.

"The Banker" is based on the true story of Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, who devised a plan to help African Americans get access to real estate deals and bank loans during the 1960s.

The film stars Samuel L. Jackson as Joe Morris and Anthony Mackie as Bernard Garett, along with Nicholas Hoult and Nia Long.

Apple has already set a theatrical release date of December 6 for the movie, and it's not yet clear if it will still come out on that date. Following its theatrical debut, "The Banker" was set to come out on ‌Apple TV‌+.

Update: Apple has delayed the theatrical release of "The Banker" and it's not yet clear if and when the movie will see a release.

Popular Stories

Apple TV Silo

Apple TV's Hit Show 'Silo' is Returning Soon: Release Date and Trailer

Tuesday April 21, 2026 1:29 pm PDT by
Apple today announced that its hit sci-fi series "Silo" is returning for a third season starting Friday, July 3, and it shared a teaser trailer. "Silo" follows the lives of 10,000 people living in an underground bunker to escape the seemingly toxic wasteland outside. The people are unaware of why the silo was built, and those who seek the truth face deadly consequences. Rebecca Ferguson...
Ted Lasso

Apple Shares 'Ted Lasso' Season Four Streaming Date and Teaser Trailer

Tuesday April 28, 2026 7:10 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its hit comedy-drama series "Ted Lasso" is returning for a fourth season with a first episode on Wednesday, August 5. One new episode will follow every Wednesday thereafter through October 7. "Ted Lasso" is one of the most popular shows ever released on the Apple TV streaming service. The eponymous character Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, starts off as a...
apple tv plus the savant

Apple TV Series 'The Savant' Set for July Premiere After Delay

Monday April 20, 2026 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple is finally planning to release The Savant, an Apple TV series that it delayed following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The Savant is set to air in July 2026, according to Variety. The Apple TV show was supposed to come out on Friday, September 26, 2025, but Apple decided not to release it due to the topic and the political climate. When the series was pulled, star Jessica...

Top Rated Comments

84 months ago
Apple TV+ should make a show based on itself. It seems ideal: plenty of drama and social justice at the same time.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DDustiNN Avatar
84 months ago
Let me guess... someone was offended?
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaod Avatar
84 months ago

I mean it says someone related to the guy the movie is about has made "serious accusations" about him, so for all you know he could be a child rapist - is that not offensive enough for you?
Did he get accused of being a child rapist, because I didn't read that anywhere.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
84 months ago
Let me guess, the social justice "hero" the movie is about is a creep after all... :lol:
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
84 months ago

So now Apple is playing "gate keeper" for what video content we can see and not see?
Their attempt to provide original content will be an epic failure.
Why? Because you take any movie/actors and someone somewhere will ALWAYS be offended.
And once you start rolling over to the demands of the rabble, you will never have any backbone to ever stand again.
i don’t think you can accuse them of being a gatekeeper by not releasing their own movie. When they start restricting other media then you can make all the claims you want.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonblatho Avatar
84 months ago

Did he get accused of being a child rapist, because I didn't read that anywhere.
I think it’s pretty obvious that the person was speculating as to how serious the accusation could be. In any case, whatever it is, the accusation is serious enough that AFI Fest did something “virtually unprecedented” in pulling the movie as its closing-night film, per the Deadline article linked in the story, pending more information.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: South Africa | Samsung | 2024 Ipad Mini Vs 2026 Ipad Air | Ios 26 2 Make Your Iphone Screen Flash For Alerts | Ipad Pro 2024 Specs