Paul Schrader has spoken with Kevin Spacey concerning the actor starring in a Frank Sinatra biopic, regardless of a number of allegations nonetheless flanking the actor. Spacey is going through a civil trial within the U.Okay. in 2025 over allegations for which he was acquitted there in a legal courtroom final yr. A brand new U.Okay. docuseries airing on Channel 4 additionally options claims of sexual offenses by the actor from 10 males.
Author/director Schrader informed Selection that he has been in touch with Spacey about him portraying an aged Sinatra for a movie.
“Cancel tradition gained’t let him go,” Schrader stated of Spacey, citing that the actor was acquitted of sexually assaulting 4 males in 2023. “He’s studying a guide on how Charlie Chaplin was canceled.”
Schrader added of the potential biopic, “I’d not use Kevin if he had been convicted. However he was not convicted.”
Schrader’s newest movie “Oh, Canada” is premiering at Cannes and the filmmaker has already teased a “post-dying” function about sexual obsession.
In the meantime, Schrader’s “Taxi Driver” collaborator Martin Scorsese is creating a separate Sinatra biopic with Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to steer. Jennifer Lawrence is being eyed to painting Ava Gardner, who was Sinatra’s second spouse after Nancy Barbato. Lawrence and DiCaprio co-starred in “Don’t Look Up.” Selection reported Sony is main a bidding conflict for the undertaking.
Schrader’s potential Sinatra, Spacey, lately participated in an interview on X with British journalist Dan Wooton forward of Channel 4 documentary “Spacey Unmasked,” which is able to air within the U.S. on ID and Max. The documentary options interviews with 10 accusers.
“I take full duty for my previous conduct and my actions,” Spacey stated. “However I can not and won’t take duty or apologize to anybody who’s made up stuff about me or exaggerated tales about me.”
Spacey was on trial for sexual and indecent assault fees over incidents alleged to have occurred between 2004 and 2013 when the actor was the director of London’s famed Outdated Vic Theatre. Spacey “maintained that of the 4 males’s fees, two have been consensual, one was a “clumsy move,” and the fourth by no means occurred in any respect,” per earlier reporting. Spacey was additionally acquitted on a cost within the U.S. from actor Anthony Rapp, amongst six others for sexual assault.
Spacey was first accused of inappropriate advances in 2017, resulting in his termination from “Home of Playing cards” and Ridley Scott’s function “All of the Cash within the World,” amongst different tasks. Spacey has lately starred in two dramas that have been beforehand shelved by distributors.
IndieWire has reached out to reps for Schrader for additional remark.