Some have criticised the casting while others say "let him act"
Kevin Spacey will play his first movie role in a number of years, after facing numerous sexual assault accusations since 2017.
The role Kevin Spacey is due to play has also created a stir in the industry and on social media. He is said to be playing a police officer investigating a sexual abuse case.
The film is titled 'L’uomo Che Disegno Dio' ('The Man Who Drew God') and is directed by Italian filmmaker Franco Nero, who also stars in it.
His wife, actress Vanessa Redgrave, also leads the cast, with Kevin Spacey in a supporting role.
In a statement to CNN, the film's producer, Louis Nero, defended Spacey's casting. He says he believes the accusations are "false," adding, "I cast him because he is a great actor."
Franco Nero also shared a statement. It reads: "I’m very happy Kevin agreed to participate in my film. I consider him a great actor and I can’t wait to start the movie."
Paul Schrader shared the news of the casting on social media, writing: "About time. If he's guilty of a crime, incarcerate him. If not, let him act. Many great artists have been bad people."
Mark Ebenhoch, an actor who accused Spacey of sexual misconduct on the set of the 1995 movie 'Outbreak,' condemned the casting to TMZ, deeming it "arrogant", "irresponsible," and "absurd."
Kevin Spacey first came under allegations in October 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp said that Spacey made a sexual advance toward him in 1986, when Rapp was 14 years old.
More than a dozen men subsequently came forward with sexual harassment claims.
Spacey was fired from the last season of 'House of Cards' on Netflix as well as 'All the Money in the World'. The movie was re-shot with the late Christopher Plummer.