‘Venom’ & ‘Birds of Prey’ Cinematographer Released From Jail Without Charge

Venom and Birds of Prey cinematographer Matthew Libatique has been released from jail on the orders of a Polish judge.

Local news outlets reported that Matthew Libatique, who worked as the cinematographer on Sony’s Venom, was arrested on suspicion of assault in Bydgoszcz. Labatique, who was attending the EnergaCamerimage festival in Poland, was reportedly been seen “staggering” outside the Holiday Inn hotel and allegedly attacked a paramedic who was called by a concerned witness. Now, Matthew Libatique’s Warsaw-based attorney, Marcin Maminski, has stated that Judge Monika Gorska-Makarewicz ordered the Venom cinematographer released without a fine.

Prosecutors – who requested detention and a fine that would translate to roughly $2,645 – could still argue for charges to be filed in the next week, with the assault charge that is under consideration carrying a maximum penalty of three years in prison. Matthew Libatique’s attourney declined to comment on whether or not the Venom cinematographer was on the way back to the United States.

Matthew Libatique next project will be DC’s Birds of Prey.

Full details on the Birds of Prey plot are currently unknown, though the film will center around the titular team on Huntress, Black Canary, and Harley Quinn joining forces to protect Cassandra Cain when she comes into the possession of a diamond belonging to a criminal kingpin known as Black Mask.

Directed by Cathy Yan from a script penned by Bumblebee writer Christina Hodson, Birds of Prey stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Ewan McGregor as Black Mask, and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.

Birds of Prey will be released in theaters on February 7, 2020.

Source: Variety