Kevin Spacey Plots Major Comeback, Says He Forgives Critics But Won’t Work With Them

Kevin Spacey, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor whose career was sidelined by multiple legal battles and allegations, is signaling a bold return to the entertainment industry—and making it clear who he’ll bring along for the ride.

Speaking on stage at the Italian Global Series Festival (IGSF) in Rimini this week, Spacey announced he is “incredibly excited about going back to work in a substantial way.” The House of Cards and American Beauty star expressed deep gratitude toward those in the film industry who stood by him during years of controversy and litigation, and issued a pointed message to those who did not.

“For those who rushed to judgment and decided I was guilty, and treated me accordingly, they have my forgiveness,” Spacey told the crowd, “but I am not seeking them out to collaborate.”

The event marked a rare public appearance for the actor, who has kept a low profile since 2017, when allegations of sexual misconduct triggered a dramatic fall from grace. Over the years, Spacey has faced numerous legal challenges, including a civil lawsuit filed by actor Anthony Rapp—which ended in his favor—and a criminal trial in the UK, where he was acquitted of sexual assault charges involving four men.

Spacey did not address ongoing legal troubles directly, including a newly filed lawsuit in the UK from actor Ruari Cannon, who appeared in a 2024 documentary on Channel 4 and Investigation Discovery. Spacey has denied any wrongdoing in that case, calling the allegations “anonymized and non-specific,” and criticizing the filmmakers for not giving him adequate time to respond.

Nevertheless, Spacey was met with an enthusiastic reception in Italy, where the crowd included students, families, and supporters from across the country. Journalists were reportedly barred from asking questions during a Q&A session, underscoring the sensitive nature of the discussion. But the actor used the moment to highlight his ongoing work and his plans for the future.

“I’ve been doing a lot of work on my own,” Spacey said. “I mentioned Franco Nero at the awards ceremony because he was the first to stand up and cast me, and that started a trend. I’ve been working ever since and I’m incredibly excited about going back to work in a substantial way because I have so many stories that I’m going to tell.”

Nero cast Spacey in the 2021 film The Man Who Drew God, a move many saw as controversial at the time. But the decision opened the door for other filmmakers to follow suit. Spacey has since landed roles in several indie projects, including The Awakening, Peter Five Eight, and 1780. Most of these films operate outside the Hollywood mainstream, but they mark a steady return for the once-celebrated star.

Spacey’s appearance in Rimini followed a similarly defiant speech in Cannes last month, where he was honored with the Better World Fund Gala Award for Excellence in Film and Television. While the award is not officially tied to the Cannes Film Festival, the moment was symbolic. “Who would have ever thought that honoring someone who has been exonerated in every courtroom he’s ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea?” Spacey said during that appearance, using the opportunity to decry what he called “blacklisting” and “cancel culture.”

At IGSF, Spacey was also awarded a Maximo Excellence Award, adding to the growing list of accolades he’s received from Italian film and television organizations in recent years. In his acceptance speech, he referenced cinematic legends Federico Fellini and Franco Nero, along with his Se7en co-stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and artistic risk-taking.

These recognitions from European institutions have provided a platform for Spacey to speak more openly about his experiences, his perspective on redemption, and his hopes for the future. “These experiences have allowed me to stop, assess, reassess and listen, and be very grateful for the work I’m able to do both on screen and off screen,” he said.

While mainstream Hollywood has remained largely silent or distant, Spacey’s reemergence on the international stage suggests he is carefully engineering a second act—one that bypasses traditional gatekeepers and leans into indie markets more open to controversy.

His message to the industry was both conciliatory and firm. “I’m filled with gratitude for those in my industry who stood by me, those individuals who were willing to wait for an outcome in the courts before they decided how they felt about me,” he said. “Those people have my trust, and I will do everything I can to maintain their trust for the rest of my life.”

Whether or not Spacey’s comeback gains broader traction remains to be seen. But if the response in Italy is any indication, there is still an audience—albeit a polarized one—willing to hear his side of the story and watch what he does next.

As Spacey positions himself for a new chapter, he appears both defiant and reflective, committed to his craft while making clear that his forgiveness does not extend to professional reconciliation. “I forgive them,” he said plainly, “but I’m moving forward with those who believed in due process—and in me.”