Armie Hammer drops out of Jennifer Lopez film over bizarre social media claims

Hammer has claimed that messages alleged to have been sent by him that have been shared on social media are "bullshit"

American actor Armie Hammer has dropped out of an upcoming film with Jennifer Lopez after messages allegedly sent by him were leaked online.

Hammer has described the messages that have spread widely on social media as "bullshit".

Messages that have leaked online appear to suggest Hammer has an interest in cannibalism, while the actor has said that they are categorically not true. He has dropped out of the upcoming comedy Shotgun Wedding, where he was due to appear alongside Jennifer Lopez. Hammer released a statement on Wednesday which read: "In light of the vicious and spurious online attacks against me, I cannot in good conscience now leave my children for four months to shoot a film in the Dominican Republic. Lionsgate is supporting me in this and I’m grateful to them for that." A production spokesman told the PA news agency: "Given the imminent start date of Shotgun Wedding, Armie has requested to step away from the film and we support him in his decision." Hammer is also due to star in Death on the Nile and a sequel to Call Me By Your Name in the near future. He won a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the latter. The explicit Instagram messages are still being shared widely on social media.