Director Griff Furst Faces Heat Over 'Dark Energy' Comments About Hayden Panettiere

Filmmaker Griff Furst is facing intense online backlash after publishing a video reflection about working with the late Hayden Panettiere. Social media users quickly called out the director, accusing him of clout-chasing after he uploaded a detailed Instagram post recounting his time with the actress on set. Furst, who helmed the 2025 film *A Breed Apart*, claimed he decided to speak publicly on social media to control the narrative. He told followers he wanted to share his own story directly before gossip outlets could spin the details out of context.

In the video statement, Furst recalled being thrilled when Panettiere signed on to his project, noting that he had originally met her roughly a decade prior and recognized her immense talent. However, he claimed that set production staff raised concerns as soon as she arrived for filming. According to the director, security personnel who picked up the actress and her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, from the airport warned him that something seemed off. Furst said he went over to welcome the couple in person, describing Panettiere as polite and eager to get to work, yet clearly struggling behind the scenes.

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While Furst declined to offer specific details about what transpired, he told viewers that his extensive career directing over 100 films made it obvious the star was not doing well. He went on to describe an unsettling atmosphere surrounding the situation, referencing a heavy vibe during their interaction. That commentary did not sit well with fans online. Critics immediately flooded the conversation, accusing the director of bad timing and calling the video an act of ambulance chasing. Many argued that sharing uninvited personal observations right after her passing felt disrespectful and self-serving rather than a genuine honoring of her memory.