Bryan Singer issues rebuttal of not-yet-published Esquire article

Director Bryan Singer has preemptively denied a yet-to-be-published report in a magazine and accused the publication of rehashing "false accusations".

The 53-year-old director, known for films such as "The Usual Suspects", "X-Men" and "Superman Returns", posted a statement on Instagram and implied that the report by Esquire will revisit the past sexual abuse and misconduct allegations against him.

"I have known for some time that Esquire magazine may publish a negative article about me," he wrote.

"They have contacted my friends, colleagues and people I don't even know. In today's climate where people's careers are being harmed by mere accusations, what Esquire is attempting to do is a reckless disregard for the truth, making assumptions that are fictional and irresponsible," he added.

Last year, the filmmaker was accused of raping a 17-year-old boy on yacht in Seattle in 2003. Singer had denied the accusations.

"This article will attempt to rehash false accusations and bogus lawsuits. This article will misuse quotes from 'sources' that will claim to have 'intimate' knowledge of my personal life.

"It will also attempt to establish guilt by association simply because of people I've either known or met in the past. They will be attempting to tarnish a career I've spent 25 years to build," he added.

Singer claimed the report is "timed" with the release of his film, Freddie Mercury-biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody".

The director was fired from the film last year because Singer was repeatedly absent from the set.

The studio had named Dexter Fletcher as his replacement.

Singer, however, will still receive the directing credit, as Directors Guild of America rules require a film to have only one director or directing team.