No 'Control': Kevin Spacey Flick Axed by London Cinema Ahead of World Premiere Screening

A London movie house canceled what was supposed to be the world premiere of a new thriller once management found out about Kevin Spacey's minuscule part in the movie, Entertainment Weekly reported.

Drawing on a report from UK newspaper The Telegraph (where the story is behind a paywall), EW detailed that the Prince Charles Cinema, which specializes in indie films, "was set to host the premiere of Welsh thriller 'Control,' the actor's first new movie since his recent sexual assault trial," but pulled the movie upon learning about Spacey's involvement.

The Telegraph detailed that theater manager Greg Lynn sent an email to the film's producer, Lauren Metcalfe, informing her that the planned premiere would not be going forward.

"My staff as well as I are horrified that we are being mentioned in the same breath as his new film for the premiere," Lynn wrote.

Metcalfe stars in the film, and her character speaks with Spacey's in the course of the movie. Spacey doesn't appear onscreen, but his voice is heard over the phone.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Metcalfe called the theater's cancellation "very shocking given that Kevin has been cleared. He has been proven to be innocent and who are they to say otherwise?"

"Kevin Spacey has done nothing wrong," Metcalfe went on to say.

Variety, reporting on the story, recalled that after "Spacey was cleared on all counts following a four-week trial in London's Southwark Crown Court, 'Control' director Gene Fallaize told Variety, 'I don't regret casting Kevin and I would do it all over again.'"

The premiere was swiftly rescheduled at a different theater. Variety reported that the event was "rearranged at the Genesis Cinema less than 24 hours" after The Prince Charles Theater dropped the screening, according to a spokesperson for the movie.

"Whilst we were briefly disappointed, we have found a much better and more appropriate venue, and one that is happy to be hosting the event," the spokesperson added, before saying that as far as Metcalfe is concerned, "the matter [is] closed."

"Since a multitude of accusations against the actor surfaced in 2017, Spacey has only appeared in two films, both from 2022," EW noted: "the docudrama 'Once Upon a Time in Croatia' and drama 'The Man Who Drew God,' the latter of which saw his performance dubbed into Italian by Roberto Pedicini."

"Control" is slated to open in theaters on both sides of the Atlantic on Dec. 15. The actor will also star in the film "Peter Five Eight," due for release next month, as the title character.