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

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

konqerror Avatar
81 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
81 months ago
Let me guess... someone was offended?
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaod Avatar
81 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)
rmoliv Avatar
81 months ago
Let me guess, the social justice "hero" the movie is about is a creep after all... :lol:
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danny842003 Avatar
81 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
81 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)