Backlash builds around Kevin Spacey scandal
Career fallout continues for Kevin Spacey after actor Anthony Rapp accused the Oscar winner of making advances on him when he was 14 years old.
Rapp, 46, a Broadway veteran, now seen in Star Trek: Discovery, told BuzzFeed that the House of Cards star, then 26, pushed him down on a bed during a party in 1986 and climbed on top of him. Rapp says he left before the encounter went any further.
The latest developments:
‘House of Cards’ shuts down production ‘until further notice’
A day after announcing that Spacey’s political drama House of Cards would end after the upcoming sixth season, producers said they’re shutting down production. “(Media Rights Capital) and Netflix have decided to suspend production on House of Cards Season six, until further notice, to give us time to review the current situation and to address any concerns of our cast and crew,” Netflix representative Karen Barragan told USA TODAY in a statement.
Old Vic Theater solicits confidential information
The The Old Vic theater in London released a statement on Twitter: “The Old Vic would like to respond to recent media reports by making it clear that we are deeply dismayed to hear the allegations levied against Kevin Spacey, who was Artistic Director from 2004-2015,” the theater said. “Inappropriate behavior by anyone working at The Old Vic is completely unacceptable.” We aim to foster a safe and supportive environment . ... Any behavior we become aware of which contravenes these goals will not be tolerated.”
The theater also announced it had established a confidential email address for complaints, noting: “Any experience shared will be treated in the utmost confidence and with sensitivity. We have appointed external advisors to help us deal with any information received.”
Release date for Spacey’s film
All the Money in the World stays
Despite the controversy around Spacey, Sony is not moving the release date for his next film, All the Money in the
World. It’s due in theaters Dec. 22. The film still is scheduled to open on its original release date, according to a person familiar with the situation but unauthorized to comment, and AFI Fest spokeswoman Shari Mesulam confirmed to USA TODAY that the film would continue to hold the closing gala spot at the festival Nov. 16. Directed by Ridley Scott, All the Money in the World tells the story of the 1973 kidnapping of teenager John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer, Boardwalk Empire), grandson of oil billionaire Jean Paul Getty (Spacey), and the campaign by the boy’s mother (Michelle Williams) to persuade the elder Getty to pay the ransom.
TV academy withdraws planned Emmy Founders honor
On Monday, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences said that “in light of recent events” it would no longer honor Spacey with the 2017 Emmy Founders Award. The academy had planned to present Spacey with the award, which was given to Shonda Rhimes last year, in November at the International Emmys ceremony in New York.