LOS ANGELES — Falcon Studios has announced Chi Chi LaRue will direct his first condom-free feature, “The Pledge.” The film, co-directed with Tony Dimarco, is currently in production.
“The feature picks up on the iconic ‘Pledge Master’ franchise that began with the 1988 Falcon super-hit ‘The Pledge Masters’ and was followed up with equally popular features ‘New Pledgemaster,' directed by LaRue, and ‘Pledgemaster — The Hazing,’” said a studio rep.
The fourth installment is set for a March 2019 release.
“Until now, LaRue spent his entire gay porn career as a staunch condom-only production proponent. Formerly and frequently criticizing studios that produced bareback content, LaRue did not take the decision lightly or hastily,” the rep notes.
“My criticisms in the past always came from a place of concern for the well-being of performers and from the responsibility I had for sending a message to viewers about the importance of safer sex practices,” LaRue said.
“Of course, this was a very big decision for me. I had to be confident that we would be in the safest space possible with the group that I could trust, and that’s why I chose to do it with Falcon Studios. I started working with the studio 30 years ago, right after the beginning of the AIDS crisis, and when (studio founder) Chuck Holmes required condoms in all Falcon movies. Chuck made the right decision to send a message and to help stop more people from contracting HIV or dying from AIDS,” notes LaRue.
“I would not have made the decision to direct a bareback production unless I could be 100% confident that all the proper procedures were followed, and I knew that Falcon Studios Group would handle all the protocols relentlessly.”
“Finally, if there is any confusion about what kind of message this might send: I will always champion the need for safer sex practices and encourage all our performers, viewers and fans to take care of their sexual health. It’s 2018, and there are many ways for us to stay safe and enjoy an active sexual life. Get tested, communicate with each other, learn about all the safer sex options available to you and make informed and healthy decisions that are right for you.”
Tim Valenti, president of Falcon Studios Group and the NakedSword Network, acknowledged LaRue’s decision as a momentous one.
“I know that making the decision to shoot his first bareback movie was a very big deal for Chi Chi,” he said. “I’m happy that he was most comfortable with, and chose to do so, with Falcon Studios Group. We pride ourselves on the safety of our models and would not have started shooting condom-free productions for any brand without being absolutely certain that they would be safe.”
He notes the company “follows the strictest testing and safety standards for all its models,” and that Falcon would release “Beach Rats,” its first condomless production in three decades, online on Jan. 11, ahead of a Jan. 18 street date.
Earlier this year, both Raging Stallion Studios (click here) and Hot House Video (click here), under the Falcon Studios Group umbrella, began releasing condomless content.
Visit Falcon online and follow their Twitter handle. Find Chi Chi LaRue on Twitter here.
