MOVIE NEWS – Kevin Spacey claims he is innocent of the sexual harassment charges against him and will prove it in court.

Kevin Spacey will stand trial “voluntarily”. The Crown Prosecution Service recently announced that Spacey is being charged with four counts of sexual assault against three alleged victims in the UK. There has been speculation whether Spacey would have to be formally extradited to the US to face these criminal charges across the pond. However, the House of Cards actor is still speeding up the process by voluntarily appearing in court.

According to Deadline, Spacey has since issued a statement reminding the public that he is innocent until proven guilty. The actor is also planning to prove his innocence in court, and the first step will be to voluntarily appear in a British courtroom where he will have the opportunity to do so. You can read Spacey’s statement below.

“I very much appreciate the CPS’s statement in which they carefully reminded the media and the public that I am entitled to a fair trial, and innocent until proven otherwise. While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the UK as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.”

Indeed, the CPS noted in an earlier statement that they reminded “all concerned that Mr Spacey is facing criminal proceedings and that he has the right to a fair trial.” The incidents reportedly occurred between 2005 and 2013, three in London and a fourth in Gloucestershire. Two of the sexual assaults allegedly involved a single victim, twice in 2005. Two other complainants allege that Spacey also sexually assaulted them in 2008 and 2013.

Kevin Spacey has recently returned to acting

When allegations of sexual assault and abuse by Kevin Spacey went public in 2017, the backlash was swift and damaging to the actor’s career. He starred in Netflix’s hit series House of Cards, but the streaming service fired him directly from the allegations and wrote the character out of the series. Spacey’s career also declined significantly, with only videos posted on YouTube. Eventually, the pending lawsuits and criminal investigations into Spacey’s behaviour were dropped in the US.

At Cannes, two films featuring Spacey were released, putting his name in the headlines shortly before the sexual harassment allegations were reported. He stars in the thriller Peter Five Eight, and the makers of the film have issued a statement in response to the claims, stating that they stand by Spacey. The statement reads:

“While it’s unfortunate that increased negative press is timed with Kevin returning to work, it’s also to be expected. There are those who wish for him not to act, but they are outnumbered by fans worldwide who await an artist they have enjoyed for decades returning to the screen. The production has no knowledge or comment on the various swirling allegations, and believe it’s a matter for the courts to determine validity if it exists. Peter Five Eight is a film for fans who care more for the art than the scandal.”

Kevin Spacey is also attached to a Hungarian-Mongolian-English historical film, 1242 – At the Gates of the West, which follows the rise of Genghis Khan’s grandson. However, it is rumoured that, precisely because of the recent spate of new harassment lawsuits, Spacey was not cast as the film’s main villain, which would have been an evil cardinal.

Source : Deadline