The fallout continues over the mounting allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey.
Sony’s TriStar has pulled Ridley Scott’s upcoming film All the Money in the World from the AFI Fest amid the controversy. The movie’s release date of Dec. 22 stays the same, however. Had the AFI screening proceeded, the movie’s cast would have no doubt been inundated with questions about Spacey, who stars opposite Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams.
“All the Money in the World is a superb film and more than worthy of its place of honor in the AFI Fest. But given the current allegations surrounding one of its actors and out of respect for those impacted, it would be inappropriate to celebrate at a gala at this difficult time. Accordingly, the film will be withdrawn,” TriStar said Monday in a statement.
“However, a film is not the work of one person,” the statement continued. “There are over 800 other actors, writers, artists, craftspeople and crew who worked tirelessly and ethically on this film, some for years, including one of cinema’s master directors. It would be a gross injustice to punish all of them for the wrongdoings of one supporting actor in the film. Accordingly, the film will open wide as planned on December 22.”
Added AFI in a separate statement: “AFI Fest celebrates film as a collaborative art form. We support Sony’s decision to postpone the premiere in order to ensure the thousands of people who worked together on this film are honored at a proper time and in a proper light.”
TriStar is handling the movie in the U.S., while STX International has overseas duties.
All the Money in the World, which is hoping for awards love, recounts the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III. Spacey plays the teen’s grandfather, the infamous billionaire J. Paul Getty.
The marketing campaign will no doubt focus on Wahlberg, Williams and Scott, as opposed to Spacey, who has said he is going to seek treatment and isn’t expected to do press. Sony also has two months left to rejigger advertising materials.
On Friday, Netflix and Media Rights Capital severed all ties with Spacey, star and producer of House of Cards. The streamer is also ditching its original movie, Gore, which stars Spacey as the late author Gore Vidal. The film had finished shooting in recent days in Italy.
