Director alleges Brian Hickerson made threatening comment about Hayden Panettiere on set
Director Griff Furst said Brian Hickerson told him he could make Panettiere do anything during a rehearsal for the upcoming film "A Breed Apart," a remark he described as a power play amid ongoing investigations into Panettiere's death.
Director Griff Furst said Brian Hickerson made a disturbing remark about his girlfriend, actress Hayden Panettiere, while they were rehearsing a scene for the 2025 film "A Breed Apart." In a video posted to Instagram, Furst recounted that Hickerson leaned in and said, "You let me know what you need her to do — I can get her to do anything," which Furst described as a "bizarre power flex."
Furst said his immediate reaction was shock, but he responded only with "Alright" because filming was in progress. He added that the comment highlighted a potentially toxic dynamic and compared it to patterns he observed in other cases involving substance abuse and controlling relationships.
The director did not provide details about any subsequent actions taken on set. Hickerson's attorney declined to comment. The incident is being discussed in the context of Panettiere's death, which was investigated after she was found unresponsive in a South Carolina Airbnb on Aug. 16. Police reports indicated she was taking a "bag of medication" at the time, and an official cause of death has not yet been released.