Sony Pictures(LOS ANGELES) — Ridley Scott will replace embattled actor Kevin Spacey with Christopher Plummer in All the Money in the World, a rep for the movie’s studio, Sony, confirms to ABC News
Scott is replacing Spacey in his finished thriller just weeks before the film is to be released. Scott intends to keep the film’s December 22 release date, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Plummer will now play J. Paul Getty in the drama about the infamous 1973 kidnapping of his grandson, 16-year-old John Paul Getty III.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scott made the decision on his own and only notified Sony of his decision on Wednesday. Sony supports the decision, a rep confirms to ABC News.
Interestingly, Plummer was Scott’s first choice to portray Getty, but studio executives wanted a marquee name.
It is unclear how Scott will finesse the actor swap, but re-shoots and wrapping the film on such a tight schedule is a heroic undertaking. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spacey worked for eight days on the film and many of his scenes only featured him. Co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams who play Getty’s lawyer and daughter are expected to return for re-shoots.
A key challenge for Scott will be visual effects, since many of Spacey’s scenes were shot in different locations. It is possible that digital compositing could simply replace Spacey with Plummer in some scenes.
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