Fact check: Is Kevin Spacey really heading to the Venice Film Festival for directorial comeback bid?

Published on 22/08/2025 - 10:38 GMT+2

Kevin Spacey is group to travel up his Cannes appearance by heading to nan upcoming Venice Film Festival to beforehand his first directorial effort successful 20 years, Holiguards Saga -The Portal Of Force. 

According to nan film’s producer, Elledgy Media, nan sci-fi thriller’s trailer will beryllium screened connected 29 August during a “gala dinner” attended by formed and unit progressive successful nan film.

The Venice Film Festival confirmed to Deadline that location is nary Kevin Spacey arena wrong their charismatic programme and that this comeback run is not a portion of nan show itself.

It is worthy noting that this was besides nan lawsuit astatine Cannes, wherever nan two-time Oscar victor was feted astatine an arena abstracted to nan charismatic line-up.  

Holiguards stars Dolph Lundgren, Tyrese Gibson, Brianna Hildebrand, Disha Patani, Eric Roberts, Lado Okhotnikov and Spacey himself. It charts “a conflict betwixt 2 ancient supernatural factions - nan Holiguards and nan Statiguards. The main character, possessing nan practice of some sides, tin extremity nan impending catastrophe. At nan aforesaid time, nan Statiguards are preparing a atomic onslaught connected Paris, utilizing mind power exertion and cosmic energy”. 

There are presently nary charismatic specifications regarding nan film’s release.  

Spacey has been trying to shape a comeback for respective years now - thing which has pitted European institutions against Hollywood, which has mostly blacklisted nan character / head pursuing galore intersexual misconduct allegations and tests since 2017.  

Last year, Spacey was honoured with Italy’s Nations Award for Lifetime Achievement astatine a typical gala successful Taormina, and successful June, Spacey attended nan Italian Global Series Festival successful Rimini. There, he said that he forgives “those who rushed to judgment” earlier nan results of his ineligible cases. He added that he won’t activity pinch those group successful future.

He was acquitted of nan intersexual assault of 4 men successful nan UK 2 years ago, and was recovered not liable successful a US civilian lawsuit brought by character Anthony Rapp.  

Spacey has admitted that he whitethorn person behaved inappropriately during his career, but has consistently denied that he behaved illegally. 

The Venice Film Festival runs from 27 August to 6 September 2025.