Obliterating Spacey may cost $14.5m

Embattled Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey has been dropped from Ridley Scott’s new film just weeks from release — a decision that will cost the veteran director dearly.

Scott decided to cut out Spacey, who was to play J. Paul Getty in the autobiographical crime drama All the Money in the World, after the actor was accused of sexual misconduct.

With the film set for release on December 22, the last-minute change means a massive scramble for Scott, who has recast Sound of Music star Christopher Plummer in the key role.

And with that massive scramble comes massive cost — Variety estimates the recasting decision will add more than US$10 million ($14.5m) to the film’s US$40m budget.

The costs involved run to much more than just reshooting Spacey’s scenes: posters with his name have been printed, trailers with his scenes are already screening in cinemas. All of that will have to be redone.

“Some marketers estimate that the creation of new trailers, posters, intheatre standees, and additional advertising campaigns could total millions once rush fees and takedown costs are added up,” Variety reports.

And the magazine says the cost is unlikely to be covered by insurance of any kind — a typical cast insurance policy covers illness, injury or death, not the disgrace Spacey is enduring.

“I think it will be 100 per cent the production’s cost,” entertainment risk management expert Angela Plasschaert told Variety.

Plummer typically commands US$250,000 to US$400,000 for a featured supporting role like this, however it’s not clear if the urgency has upped his fee.

The true story centres on oil tycoon Getty’s refusal to pay a kidnapper’s ransom for his grandson.