"There are things I've wanted to do more than I can do during a recession," Stanley told XBIZ. "There's been this outpouring of concern. My problem is choosing what I want to do. Whatever company has the biggest cojones, give me a call."
Stanley stressed that the parting was amicable, saying, "I'm good friends with all of them."
Stanley, who has been writing and directing plot-driven features since the late '90s, worked with Elegant Angel — where he started the short-lived features division, Arch Angel — and Vivid Entertainment before signing with Wicked. His titles have included "Fast Forward" and "Playback" for Elegant, and his Vivid titles include "20 Candles," "The Black Room" and an ambitious two-picture combination, "Perfect Couple" and "Morning Star," which both start with a couple breaking up: one tells the woman's story, and the other tells the man's. He won a 2005 AVN award for his direction of "Pretty Girl" for Vivid.
At Wicked, Stanley's productions have included "Harlequin," "Creme Brulee," "1000 Words," and "Just Like That."
Wicked Pictures issued this statement late Monday afternoon: "David Stanley is no longer under contract as a director for us. We’ve had 3 great years together. He is truly a talented director and we wish him continued success."