Kevin Spacey Scores First Gig After Huge $40 Million Sexual Battery Lawsuit Win

Kevin Spacey has bagged his first movie role since winning a sexual harassment charge brought against him by actor Anthony Rapp. Although it will be just a voice role in the upcoming British indie thriller, it is still a massive win for the star who almost had his career destroyed by the allegation. 

Kevin Spacey Set To Go Back To Work After Lawsuit Win

The 63-year-old was found not guilty of claims of intimate misconduct towards the "Star Trek: Discovery" actor by the jury. Seeking $40 million in damages for the alleged crime done to him when he was 14-years-old, Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed the case after they failed to prove the older star had indeed "touched a sexual or intimate body part."

According to Variety, Spacey will play the antagonist in the movie “Control” from Cupsogue Pictures. The voice role is said to be like what Kiefer Sutherland did in the 2002 film “Phone Booth.”

It is written and directed by Gene Fallaize and produced by Adam Southwick and Emily Hasseldine chronicles the story of a British government minister, Stella Simmons, who is involved in an affair with the Prime Minister. 

As she heads home in her self-driving car, it is hijacked remotely and taken on a destructive run on the streets of London, with Simmons trapped inside by someone who wants revenge for the act she is committing.

While the actor plays the role, other notable names involved are Lauren Metcalfe, who will play Simmons, and Mark Hampton as the Prime Minister. As he wraps up recording his lines soon, shooting is not till early next year at Camberwell Studios.

The director, who was not fazed by his cast member’s legal case, noted that he actually wrote the script with the “Superman Returns” actor in mind because he was a fan of his while growing up.

He also said that the troubles around Spacey were a consideration and not a concern, adding, “He’s one of the greatest actors of our generation. His personal life aside — it’s something I can’t comment on and have no knowledge of — it’s an opportunity to work with one of the acting greats.”

As for the accusation, Rapp had claimed that he was invited to a party in 1986 held at Spacey's residence, who was 26 years old at the time. During the party, the 51-year-old claimed the "House of Cards" star took him into another room, held him down on the bed, and aggressively attempted to molest him. 

The Blast shared that the case began in 2020 and came to an end after almost two hours of deliberations on October 20, 2022. The “Se7en” bent his head slightly in apparent relief before standing to embrace his lawyer Chase Scolnick. Although he was found not guilty by a New York jury, he still faces sexual abuse allegations from three men in the U.K. 

Kevin Spacey Regrets His Apology To Anthony Rapp

Breaking down in court, the award-winning actor tearfully accused his former publicist Staci Wolfe of making him apologize to his accuser in 2017. The Blast shared that in his first response to the allegations, he came out as gay while apologizing by saying that at the time of the event, he was drunk and accepted that it was inappropriate behavior.  

He also stated that he only hid his sexuality because of his very strict upbringing. Recently, however, the “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” actor maintained his innocence and stated in court:

He said that he had listened to the advice because he thought it would help avoid more issues or look like a victim blamer, admitting that what he did was wrong and "I’m deeply sorry. I have to own that.” 

He also mentioned that he was never attracted to kids and recalled having gone to the club with Rapp and another actor John Barrowman, but he never made any advances toward them.