The trailer for a new film starring Kevin Spacey which was written and directed by a Guernsey director has been released, after the Oscar-winning actor was cleared of a string of sexual allegations in the UK and US.
Due for release in December according to industry insiders, 'Control' is expected to be Mr Spacey's first cinematic release since he was acquitted of all charges.
It was filmed earlier this year when Mr Fallaize put his faith in Mr Spacey after he was cleared in the US, believing he would also be cleared in London.
That faith paid off last week when the Crown Court cleared the American actor of all charges.
Since then Mr Fallaize has given numerous interviews offering his further support to Mr Spacey and promoting their film which received positive reviews after being screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
A release date hasn't been set yet but there has been increased interest in the project, with Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and other industry publications sharing their expectations that Mr Spacey will be able to resume his lucrative career, with his vocal role in 'Control'.
Video: The theatrical trailer for 'Control' was released on Tuesday 1 August.
Mr Fallaize, who grew up in Guernsey, had faced criticism for his decision to cast Mr Spacey, but last week he welcomed the British court's decision to clear the actor of all charges.
"When I made the decision to write a role specifically for Kevin Spacey with the hope of being able to cast him in ‘Control’ it was not a decision I came to lightly," he said.
"After discussions with my producers and our investors, in which I insisted that we cast him as he had never been found guilty of anything in his life, it was agreed to by all that we did not want to be part of those judging unfairly, and without the facts.
"Kevin and his team read the script and liked it, and we met with Kevin to discuss the project in November 2022. In the days following our meeting and offer for him to work on the film further accusations came to light, and we spoke with Kevin’s representatives who insisted that the claims were false, and Kevin would fight in court to clear his name. That was enough for us to continue, and Kevin has done exactly that.
"As Kevin himself said, he was subject to 'trial by social media', and we certainly had our share of backlash as a result of casting him in our film, but it is a decision I am proud to have made, as it meant I was lucky enough to work with one of the greatest actors of our times, and an actor who fought to clear his name - and won.
"I will forever be grateful to Kevin for his participation and for his work on ‘Control’, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for the man who attended court in person every day to prove his innocence.
"I only hope that in the future ‘innocent until proven guilty’ is a term actually considered by the public, and - especially - the media."
Pictured: Gene Fallaize's IMDB profile details his childhood and teenage years growing up in Guernsey.
Mr Fallaize lived in Guernsey from the age of four. He went to St Sampson's Secondary School and worked at most of the local media outlets as well as volunteering at Jubilee Hospital Radio.
After finishing school he left the island and launched his career by working on multiple movie projects.
Mr Fallaize now has his own production firm, Cupsogue Pictures and he makes cameo appearances in many of his own features.
In 'Control', the Minister's car is taken over by remote control and hijacked by someone else, with the film following her perilous journey.
Lauren Metcalfe and Mark Hampton star as the Minister and PM, while Mr Spacey is the disembodied voice in 'control'.
Guernsey-born actor Adam Philip Hooper also makes an appearance.
Guernsey Director "proud" to have supported Kevin Spacey
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.