Christopher Plummer On Replacing Kevin Spacey In J. Paul Getty Biopic

Christopher Plummer has opened up about talking over Kevin Spacey’s role in the upcoming J. Paul Getty biopic, “All the Money in the World.”

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of Plummer’s new film “The Man Who Invented Christmas” on Sunday, the actor said that he isn’t really replacing Spacey in the Ridley Scott-directed movie. “It isn’t replacing. In a funny way it’s starting all over again because it’s going to be different, naturally,” Plummer explained.

Scott, along with the film’s executive producers, decided earlier this month to completely cut Spacey out of their already finished movie and have Plummer take over the role of J. Paul Getty after Spacey was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by several people.

According to Deadline, Scott and executive producer Dan Friedkin in particular think that the allegations against Spacey might ruin the film which Scott dropped everything to direct, and on which so many people worked hard. So they took control of the situation and decided to re-shoot all the key scenes involving J. Paul Getty, an oil tycoon who refused to pay a ransom after his grandson was kidnapped by an organized crime group.

“The situation is very sad, because he’s such a talented guy,” Plummer said of Spacey. “The whole circumstance is sad. But I’ve got to forget that and go and do it, because it’s a very well written script and Ridley has been very good.”

Plummer, who won an Oscar for his performance in the 2010 romantic dramedy film “Beginners,” said he didn’t have any hesitation at taking on the role of J. Paul Getty after Spacey because he’d already been in talks to do the part before the “House of Cards” actor was cast. “At one point we were discussing doing it in the early days,” Plummer said.

Although the reshoots are expected to take some time, Deadline reported that Scott is determined to keep the film’s Dec. 22 release date. “It’s quite a push,” Plummer told Entertainment Tonight of the reshoot schedule, adding that they plan to start shooting next Monday.

In addition to Plummer, “All the Money in the World” also stars Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg and Charlie Plummer, among many others.