In what is possibly an unprecedented move, Kevin Spacey has been booted entirely from Ridley Scott‘s film All The Money In The World, which has literally already been finished and was scheduled for release in December.
Spacey was playing oil tycoon J Paul Getty, one of the key characters in the crime thriller which was – I stress this – literally completed. All of Spacey’s scenes will be reshot with Canadian actor Christopher Plummer
BREAKING: Sony is cutting Kevin Spacey out of ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD altogether and reshooting his scenes with Christopher Plummer as J. Paul Getty. Movie still slated for December. This is an unprecedented to say the least!
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) November 9, 2017
According to Deadline, the cast and crew of the film agreed in a “unified front” that they should reshoot all of Spacey’s scenes.
Apparently, Spacey shot for about eight to ten days. It’s not an entirely impossible task to redo his scenes, as much of the film focuses on Michelle Williams as Gail Harris and Mark Wahlberg as Fletcher Chase, Getty’s assistant. Plummer was the original choice to play Getty before producers decided a more high profile name would be appropriate.
The change means that the marketing material for the film will also have to be changed, including posters, ads and other collateral.
The film follows abduction of John Paul Getty III, who was abducted in 1973 at age 16. His grandfather – the original J. Paul Getty – refused to pay the ransom for some time. It’s a pretty insane story, and ripe ground for a crime thriller.
It’s good to see filmmakers making a stand for what’s right – though some have rightfully pointed out that this is also a commercial decision, given that the film wouldn’t be given a fair shake in the marketplace or in awards season if Spacey’s name were still attached. Nonetheless, pressure from the cast and crew made this happen even though the film was already done.
