Can Kevin Spacey make a Hollywood comeback after being ‘cancelled’? | Ents & Arts News
“My world exploded,” Kevin Spacey emotionally shared with jurors as he testified in his sexual assault trial. He described the devastating consequences he faced, such as losing his job, reputation, and everything else, within a matter of days before any questions were even asked or answered. The initial allegations against him in the US in 2017, followed by similar claims in the UK, resulted in a domino effect that ruined his illustrious career. The jurors had the task of determining whether his testimony was truthful or another performance.
The repercussions of the allegations were swift and severe. Spacey was quickly ostracized in Hollywood, removed from major projects like Ridley Scott’s “All The Money In The World,” where his scenes were reshot by Christopher Plummer, and dismissed from his acclaimed role as Frank Underwood in the Netflix series “House Of Cards.” Last year, he and his production companies were ordered to pay a significant sum to compensate for losses after crew members accused him of sexual misconduct. However, criminal charges in LA and Massachusetts were dropped, and in a civil trial in New York, he was found not liable.
Now, jurors in the UK have acquitted Spacey of all criminal charges related to the allegations made by four men accusing him of sexual assault between 2001 and 2013. One man’s claims were deemed “madness,” while Spacey admitted to a “clumsy pass” with another accuser but denied any further misconduct.
During the trial, Spacey expressed his determination to prove his innocence by thoroughly examining old records, photos, and other evidence that could disprove the claims against him. His barrister emphasized that he had been “cancelled” and “tried by social media,” stating that it was easy to lie about Spacey due to his promiscuous lifestyle and closeted sexuality.
Spacey’s acquittal is seen as a significant victory for him. It affirms his denials of the accusations and paves the way for a potential return to acting. However, some doubt that he will be able to fully revive his career in Hollywood due to the potential negative publicity associated with working with him. Independent filmmakers may be more open to collaborating with him, especially if his projects find success internationally. Still, it is unlikely that major studios, particularly those associated with franchise movies, will take the risk.
The trial also shed light on the Old Vic theatre, where Spacey worked as both an actor and artistic director from 2001 to 2015. While he initially faced criticism, his tenure eventually led to the venue’s financial stability and artistic reputation being restored. However, following the allegations against Spacey, the theatre received 20 claims of inappropriate behavior, raising serious questions about their handling of the situation and damaging its reputation.
Despite being cleared of criminal charges, the fallout from the accusations against Spacey has had a severe and lasting impact. The trial brought attention to the Old Vic’s handling of the star’s behavior and raised concerns about workplace conduct. Regardless of the verdict, the damage to both Spacey’s career and the reputation of the Old Vic cannot be easily undone.
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