'X-Men' director targeted in abuse suit

A representative for director Bryan Singer said the accusations were "completely without merit."

• The accusations against Bryan Singer date back to 1999


• Singer's rep says the suit is "completely without merit"


• Singer is one of Hollywood's most successful directors

Los Angeles (CNN) -- A lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses "X-Men" director Bryan Singer of sexually abusing a teenage boy 15 years ago.

Singer allegedly offered the aspiring teen actor a role in an "X-Men" film if he gave in to his sexual demands, while threatening to destroy his career if he didn't, according to the civil suit filed in U.S. District Court in Hawaii Wednesday.

Singer's representative said the accusations were "completely without merit."

"We are very confident that Bryan will be vindicated in this absurd and defamatory lawsuit," Singer's rep said. "It is obvious that this case was filed in an attempt to get publicity at the time when Bryan' s new movie is about to open in a few weeks."

Singer is one of Hollywood's most successful directors and producers, having directed two installments of the "X-Men" film franchise and a Superman movie in the past 15 years. His next film -- "X-Men: Days of Future Past" -- is set to hit theaters on May 23.

Attorney Jeff Herman chose Hawaii to file the suit because the legislature there opened a window for two years allowing old sex abuse cases to be filed. The provision expires next week, Herman said.

The alleged sex abuse incidents detailed in the lawsuit happened in 1998 and 1999 when the plaintiff was 17, the suit said.

Most of the alleged sex abuse took place at parties at a California, mansion, the suit said.

Other incidents allegedly happened during two trips to Hawaii.

Singer "manipulated his power, wealth, and position in the entertainment industry to sexually abuse and exploit the underage Plaintiff through the use of drugs, alcohol, threats and inducements which resulted in Plaintiff suffering catastrophic psychological and emotional injuries," the complaint alleged.

Singer "promised acting roles to Plaintiff in an X-Men movie, in commercials, and in other of his projects, and professed that he would arrange for Plaintiff to audition for roles and projects in others' productions," it alleged.

CNN's Carolyn Sung contributed to this report.