Embattled actor Kevin Spacey has been in the headlines a lot lately, for better or for worse. He has been picking his acting career back up with multiple upcoming movies currently in the works. This includes the new thriller Peter Five Eight, which features Spacey in the role of a mysterious, homicidal stalker. VMI Worldwide is shopping the film at the Cannes market this week, and a trailer was previously released.
It has since been reported that Spacey's legal problems are also coming back. It was announced by the Crown Prosecution Service that Spacey has been charged with four counts of sexual assault against three separate men. This kind of negative press can quickly derail an actor's career, but it isn't going to prevent Peter Five Eight from getting released. Per THR, the producers of the film released the following statement.
“While it’s unfortunate that increased negative press is timed with Kevin returning to work, it’s also to be expected. There are those who wish for him not to act, but they are outnumbered by fans worldwide who await an artist they have enjoyed for decades returning to the screen. The production has no knowledge or comment on the various swirling allegations, and believe it’s a matter for the courts to determine validity if it exists. Peter Five Eight is a film for fans who care more for the art than the scandal."
In Peter Five Eight, Jet Jandreau stars as a real estate agent in a small town harboring a dark secret. Meanwhile, a charismatic and mysterious man named Peter (Spacey) finds her there, but his nefarious intentions are quickly revealed. Directed by Michael Zaiko Hall, the film also stars Rebecca De Mornay and Jake Weber. The director has teased a great performance from Spacey and noted that he was a pleasure to work with on the set.
“Kevin was a joy to work with, kept everyone laughing between takes and delivered what I think will be a surprising treat for his fans," Zaiko said.
Kevin Spacey Has Another Movie Getting Shopped at Cannes
It's not yet clear if the negative press involving Kevin Spacey will affect another movie he has getting shopped at the Cannes market. It was recently reported that he will star in 1242 - Gateway to the West, a period film following Genghis Khan's rise and downfall. There hasn't been much information revealed about that movie but it is a UK/Hungarian/Mongolian co-production. Hungarian director Peter Soos directs the film, which is written by Aron Horvath and Joan Lane. Eric Roberts, Christopher Lambert, Terence Stamp, Jeremy Neumark-Jones, and Genevieve Florence are also attached.
Spacey had previously been leveled with assault and misconduct allegations in 2017, and at the time, it had gotten him fired from the hit Netflix series House of Cards. The news has obviously affected Spacey's career in a very significant way, but the various lawsuits and criminal investigations into his alleged behavior were all ultimately dropped. He returned to acting starting with his role in the Italian film The Man Who Drew God.