Hollywood veteran Christopher Plummer has spoken for the first time about taking over Kevin Spacey’s role in the Ridley Scott kidnapping drama, All The Money in the World.
In light of damning sexual assault allegations, Spacey was swiftly removed from the Oscar-tipped drama, at which point Ridley Scott drafted Plummer in to play oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. And that’s despite the fact that production had already wrapped ahead of the film’s December 22nd release date.
It was an unprecedented (and costly!) move on Ridley Scott’s part, which, if nothing else, is a pointed reminder of the gravity of the Kevin Spacey scandal.
As a matter of fact, as Christopher Plummer told Vanity Fair, he didn’t really “replace” Kevin Spacey because filming is “starting all over again.”
It’s really not replacing him [Spacey]—it’s starting all over again. Although the situation is very sad. I’m very saddened by what happened to Kevin, but what can I do? I’ve got a role. I admire Ridley Scott and I’m thrilled to be making a movie for him. And so I thought, that was it. Ages ago I was in contention for [the role], way back. So I was familiar with it, and then Ridley came to me and I agreed. I wanted to work with him. He’s very good. I loved the script. The script is wonderful.
Meanwhile, the fallout from these accusations has led Netflix to halt all production on House of Cards, after deciding that the show’s sixth season would be its last. Subsequent reports have claimed that the Netflix original won’t be able to continue without Spacey – sources suggest that the actor’s contract doesn’t include a morality clause, meaning he can’t be dismissed nor suspended unless he’s ostensibly “incapacitated” – but we’re still waiting to find out more on that front.
As for Plummer’s own thoughts on the allegations, the actor continued:
I think it’s very sad what happened to him. Kevin is such a talented and a terrifically gifted actor, and it’s so sad. It’s such a shame. That’s all I can say, because that’s it.
Despite losing its place at AFI Fest, All The Money in the World is still scheduled for the awards-friendly release of December 22nd.
