Amazon was secretly developing a horribly misogynistic show under Roy Price

Not a great look for Amazon Studios.
 By 
Jess Joho
 on 
Amazon was secretly developing a horribly misogynistic show under Roy Price
Head Of Amazon Studios Roy Price and actor Casey Affleck at the premiere for  "Manchester By The Sea" Credit: Getty Images

Apparently, allegations of sexual harassment weren't the only misdeeds of the recently ousted Amazon Studios head Roy Price.

According to a Hollywood Reporter article, Price seemed all too eager to pass on noteworthy female-led shows, while greenlighting his own script idea called Shanghai Snow. Sources tell THR the project, already two years in development, told the story of a woman sold into sex slavery.

The script saw her character repeatedly drugged, beaten, and told she would be "fucked like a dead fish." Which is not to mention the character of Mr. Goodtimes, her “psychotic imperial Thai dwarf” and captor.

Reportedly, a screenwriter attached to the project, Raven Metzner, was so revolted by the script's blatant misogyny that he threatened to leave. Amazon responded by sanctioning a rewrite from Metzner, as well as bringing female writer Chris Levinson (who worked on Dawson's Creek and Charmed) onto the project.

For some reason, Shanghai Snow went unlisted on the Amazon-owned IMDB website throughout its two-year development phase. The current fate of the show remains unknown -- though it doesn't look promising.

Amazon has not yet responded to a request for confirmation on the reported details and clarity on the uncharacteristic secrecy around Shanghai Snow's development.

A little under a week ago, Amazon Studios producer Isa Hackett went public with details on the sexual harassment allegations she made back in 2015. Amazon put Price on suspension, and he resigned from his position shortly thereafter.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Aside from the sexual harassment allegations, Price's attitude toward women-lead projects was already under scrutiny, after he repeatedly passed on noteworthy, female-centric shows like the Emmy-award winning Big Little Lies and The Handmaid's Tale. He also showed little care and attention toward one of Amazon Studios' few female-driven shows, Good Girls Revolt, and canceled it after Season 1 despite solid critical reviews.

The one big award Price's leadership did snag the studio, however, was accused sexual harasser Casey Affleck's Oscar for the film Manchester by the Sea. Price's close relationship with Harvey Weinstein didn't help his case, either, seeing as his continued business with the Weinstein Co. helped keep it afloat.

Overall, many have started questioning Amazon's company culture, particularly when it comes to women in Hollywood. While the Amazon Studios pushed to hire more female directors, Big Little Liars director David E. Kelley said he thought, "They are in way over their heads,” and that he refuses to work with them "until their entertainment house is put in order."

Topics Amazon

Mashable Image
Jess Joho

Jess is an LA-based culture critic who covers intimacy in the digital age, from sex and relationship to weed and all media (tv, games, film, the web). Previously associate editor at Kill Screen, you can also find her words on Vice, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Vox, and others. She is a Brazilian-Swiss American immigrant with a love for all things weird and magical.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You


40+ deals under $50 from Amazon's Big Spring Sale — Amazon devices, earbuds, video games
a dreo fan, soundcore earbuds, and amazon echo device on a green and blue background

40+ deals under $50 in Amazon's Big Spring Sale — Amazon devices, earbuds, video games
a dreo fan, soundcore earbuds, and amazon echo device on a green and blue background


More in Entertainment
How to watch Chelsea vs. Port Vale online for free
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts

How to watch 'Wuthering Heights' at home: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's controversial romance now streaming
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embracing in still from "Wuthering Heights"

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers online for free
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders warms up

How to watch Mexico vs. Belgium online for free
Israel Reyes of Mexico reacts

How to watch Brazil vs. Croatia online for free
Vinicius Junior #10 of Brazil leaves

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma


NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!