Kevin Spacey in “Peter Five Eight.”
Courtesy of Ascent Films
Filmmaker Michael Zaiko Hall knew he was seeking controversy when he cast Kevin Spacey in the lead role in his thriller. Peter five eight. Now, with the film available via various streaming services, the director vehemently defends the decision to cast the two-time Oscar winner, citing the actor’s “rare talent.”
The film is Spacey’s first leading role since his acquittal of nine charges of sexual misconduct against him during a trial in London in 2023. In May, a Channel 4 documentary titled Spacey unmasked broadcast in which the testimonies of 10 other men, not involved in the trial, were presented. Their allegations include that Spacey pushed his groin in the face of an Old Vic employee while he was a manager at the London venue and that he masturbated in front of an aspiring actor while they watched Saving Private Ryan in a public theater. Spacey vehemently denied the allegations, saying in an interview with journalist Dan Wootton that while his behavior was “embarrassing,” it was not illegal.
Spacey was also cleared of allegations made by actor Anthony Rapp, after a New York federal court jury concluded in October 2022 that Rapp had not proven his claim that Spacey had sexually assaulted him .
Spacey told Lex Fridman that forgiveness isn’t found in Hollywood, but Hall hopes his low-budget indie thriller will spark a change in attitude toward hiring the two-time Oscar winner.
In Peter five eight, an alcoholic but seemingly glamorous real estate agent (played by Jet Jandreau) becomes increasingly paranoid when a charismatic man in black (Spacey) begins following her. He moves into the house across the street from hers and works, at the behest of a shadowy boss, to uncover one of his long-kept secrets.
The film was independently produced by Ascent Films, Mad Honey Productions, LTD Films and Forever Safe Productions. It is available to purchase on demand in the US, but its UK release is not yet set.
Jet Jandreau, Kevin Spacey, Rebecca De Mornay and Michael Zaiko Hall on the set of Peter five eight.
Ascension Movies
The director, who began his career in visual effects before moving behind the camera — Peter five eight is his fourth feature film as director — he spoke with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss what he calls a “controversial” casting decision.
“The script was written before Kevin was involved,” says Hall. “I actually had another actor in mind, initially for Peter, but as the script came together… discussions among the producers started to drift into who would be the absolute best Peter in the series. planet. And quickly, the discussion moved to Kevin Spacey.
The entire team “agreed” that no one could play the title character better than Spacey, Hall says.
“With comic malice and that lyrical quality, we decided to approach Kevin’s management with the script and offer him the role,” Hall continues. “Of course, it’s a controversial choice, if you will. We were very aware of what we were getting into by presenting this to Kevin, but we knew it would be in the best interest of the film. The film would be much more convincing with Kevin in the role of Peter.
Production on Peter five eight began in late 2021. By May 2022, British prosecutors had indicted Spacey and he was awaiting trial. The release of Hall’s film had to be delayed until after the trial, the outcome of which he said validated his decision.
“Kevin Spacey is a rare talent,” he says. “Out of eight billion people on earth, how many people can do what Kevin does? I would generously say 100. He brings something powerful to the screen and I think that’s one of the unfortunate side effects of Cancel Culture.
Hall explains that after conversations with Spacey’s management, he believes it became clear that the allegations against Spacey and much of what was written about him were “disproportionate.”
“This was even before he won his cases and had his name cleared by multiple juries,” he says. “When we were presented with the evidence that was shared with us, there was a lot of rumor and innuendo that was blown completely out of proportion. We are therefore dealing with a very rare talent who, I firmly believe, has his place on the big screen. “It’s a real detriment to the culture to deprive us of Kevin on screen.”
Hall reveals information about filming that he says speaks to Spacey’s character. He draws comparisons to disgraced former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, as well as Armie Hammer, who was once considered a rising star but now faces numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. (Alleged texts from Hammer were posted online and one woman told New York Post“Page Six” that he subjected her to emotional abuse and expressed a desire to cook and eat one of her ribs.)
“I support the #MeToo movement in cases where real monsters are convicted,” says Hall. “But I think it’s case by case. After much thought and many discussions with Kevin and his management, I ultimately felt that he was a man of integrity…and I have since felt that this opinion has been corroborated.
Hall says Spacey’s allegations of misconduct don’t rise to the level of some of the most notorious figures of the #MeToo era: “I don’t think Kevin is a Harvey Weinstein. I don’t think Kevin is a Bill Cosby. I would go so far as to say that I don’t even think Kevin is an Armie Hammer. I’ve read Armie Hammer’s writings and, as an amateur student of psychology, I think the man is a psychopath. I think there is sadism and cruelty there. With Kevin, there’s none of that. There is absolutely none of that. There is no cruelty. There is no sadism. He’s a nice man. He’s really a nice man. That was my assessment of his character.
Hall reveals that Spacey threw a birthday party on set for his young niece and gave her a director’s chair with her name on it.
“It was extremely pleasant to work with him. I considered Kevin to be a gentle, grandfatherly man. That was my assessment, and I understand that some will disagree with that assessment and I respect that disagreement, but I think that when it comes to these cases, they need to be evaluated individually, and everyone should make your own decision. conclusions. I decided I was comfortable working with this man and I was very glad I did.
Hall also thinks Spacey should be able to continue his career after Peter five eight. “And I believe he will.” And I believe he has projects in progress. He declined to comment further on the details of Spacey’s plans.