RRR actor Ray Stevenson is set to replace the scandal-ridden Kevin Spacey in the upcoming Mongolian war epic 1242: Gateway To The West, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Spacey was dropped from the movie last year after a U.K. court charged him with five sexual assault cases. He pleads not guilty.
This is Steveson’s latest role after being cast in several high-profile movies over the past decade. Stevenson is best known for playing Volstagg in the Thor series, a position he has had since 2011. More recently, he played the villain in the cultural sensation RRR last year.
“Ray is the ideal lead for our movie 1242: Gateway to the West; his captivating performances in films like RRR prove that beyond doubt! We are honored he’s come on board — together, we’ll craft something truly remarkable,” film producer Kornél Sipos said of Stevenson’s addition.
Gateway To The West is currently being shot in Hungary. The film is helmed by Hungarian director Péter Soós with Áron Horváth and Joan Lane as screenwriters. The film follows a profoundly spiritual man (played by Jeremy Neumark Jones) who faces the Mongolian army as they invade Hungary en route to Western Europe. Stevenson will now play the role of Papal Legate Cesareane, a Mongolian spy who acts as a mediator between the two armies.
The role positioned Spacey for a comeback in Hollywood, especially after winning his lawsuit against Anthony Rapp – who levied sexual assault charges against the American Beauty actor. Spacey was even featured on the film’s poster when it was being shopped around at Cannes last year. But now, after pleading not guilty to the original five cases in London, the U.K. charged him with another seven counts of sexual assault, bringing his tally to twelve.
Leave a Comment