- Kevin Spacey is releasing a new film
- It comes after his sexual assault acquittal
- THIS is what we know about it
After a six-year hiatus following a cascade of sexual misconduct accusations, Spacey is back, but will the audience welcome him with open arms or crossed arms?
Second shot or shot down?
Thomas Ashley, the daredevil CEO of Invincible Entertainment, is the man behind Spacey's screen resurrection. Fresh off a not-guilty verdict in a UK sexual assault trial, Ashley's rallying cry is for the film to be judged on its own cinematic brilliance. "The film deserves to be seen," Ashley proclaims to The Hollywood Reporter, betting big on the belief that talent trumps scandal.
In 'Peter Five Eight,' Spacey transforms into "Peter," a mysterious man whose arrival in a quaint mountainside community stirs the pot. But as Spacey's character delves into the town's secrets, the real question is: Can the actor unravel the knots of his own past?
Ashley is no stranger to controversy, having backed Johnny Depp amidst his own tumult. He's bracing for potential boycotts but stands firm on Spacey's right to a "seat at the table again." The actor's once-stellar career nosedived in 2017, but now, with no legal shackles, Spacey is eyeing a Hollywood homecoming.
But not everyone is happy about this!
Many are standing up
The Prince Charles Cinema in London will not let Kevin Spacey be. The theater was set to host the premiere of Welsh thriller 'Control', the actor's first new movie since his recent sexual assault trial, but has now retracted its offer after learning of Spacey's presence in the project.
As per 'The Telegraph', in an email to the film's co-star and producer, Greg Lynn, who runs the theater, wrote, "Last night it came to our attention that your film features Kevin Spacey, in particular his first film since the court case," presumably referring to the U.K.-based trial where the actor was found not guilty of multiple accounts of sexual assault.
"My staff as well as I are horrified that we are being mentioned in the same breath as his new film for the premiere," Lynn continued.
Producers told 'The Telegraph' that the notice came "out of the blue," stating, "It was very shocking given that Kevin has been cleared. He has been proven to be innocent and who are they to say otherwise? Kevin Spacey has done nothing wrong."
Also interesting:
Spacey's legal battles have been a rollercoaster, with a civil trial and a UK court case now behind him. Even so, the film looks to have an international reach, nevertheless.
Global territories picked up for 'Peter Five Eight' include the U.K., Africa, Eastern Europe, Israel, Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia, Middle East and Russia/CIS. The U.S. release in August will be timed to follow the expected conclusion of Spacey’s upcoming trial in the U.K. for alleged sexual offenses, which will get underway on June 28 and is scheduled to last 4 weeks.
Let's wait and see how and if fans welcome back one of Hollywood's most controversial figures!