(Dunaway photo by David Shankbone, from Flickr; Spacey photo by DSeow, from Wikimedia Commons)
Oscar-winning actress Faye Dunaway has been confirmed to be a part of the cast with disgraced actor Kevin Spacey in Italian actor-director Franco Nero’s film, “The Man Who Drew God.”
This will be the first role for Spacey since 2017 when several accusations of sexual assault, including by actor Anthony Rapp, came to light causing Spacey to be let go from his hit Netflix series “House of Cards.” Spacey came out as gay in his response to the allegations from Rapp.
The film, which Nero also stars, was rumored to feature his wife and legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave but she later distanced herself from the film following backlash on social media. The film’s producer, Louis Nero, told Variety that Redgrave’s rumored initial role is the one being played by Dunaway.
“She plays an old Braille teacher who is an old friend of the blind protagonist played by Nero and taught him how to read,” he said. “It’s the role that Vanessa Redgrave was meant to have. Vanessa isn’t up to traveling anymore.”
The film, based on a true story, is about a blind artist who can draw people from their voice and is wrongly accused of sexually abusing a child. Spacey will play the small role of a police detective in the film.
While Spacey and Dunaway appear in the film in supporting roles, a poster for the film was seen this week at the Cannes Film Festival with both actors featured prominently, as well as Spacey and Dunaway being second and third billed, respectively.
“The Man Who Drew God” wrapped filming last week and is expected to be released in September.
When asked about the controversy of casting Spacey, Nero said he felt it was actually good for the promotion of the film.
“We have plenty of interest from buyers around the world,” he said. “All the controversy around the film has generated plenty of interest … It was good for the film, from my point of view.”
