Latest news with #KevinSpacey
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Robin Wright on Fighting for Equal Pay on ‘House of Cards': They Said, ‘We Can't Pay You the Same' as Kevin Spacey ‘Because You Didn't Win an Academy Award'
Robin Wright reflected on her time on 'House of Cards' at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Monday, saying she had to fight for equal pay on the series because she didn't have an Oscar. During a chat moderated by Variety's international features director Leo Barraclough, Wright recalled scoring a lead role on the 2013 show, which was Netflix's first big TV series. More from Variety 'Sherlock & Daughter' Team Talks Expanding the Universe After Season 1: 'Crime Is Blissfully International' 'Gangs of London' Producer Teases Show's Future, 'New Characters and New Surprises' After Shocking Season 3 Deaths: 'Expect the Unexpected' Former 'Teen Wolf' Stars on How Young Actors Can Survive a Media Storm: 'Be Comfortable With Saying No' 'When David Fincher introduced 'House of Cards' to me, he said: 'This is going to be the future, it's going to be revolutionary,'' Wright recalled. 'And look where we are now.' However, she said she had to fight for equal pay on the hit show, which she co-led with Kevin Spacey. 'Yes, it was difficult. I am going to be honest,' she said. 'When I said, 'I think it's only fair because my character became as popular as [Spacey's], they said: 'We can't pay you the same as an actor, so we will make you exec producer and you can direct. We will give you three different paychecks.' I asked, 'Why can't you pay me as an actor?' 'Because you didn't win an Academy Award.'' But being angry 'wasn't going to change anything,' Wright said. 'That has been the protocol for years — it just is. If you say, 'Why did so-and-so female not get the same amount as Will Smith?' They say, 'It will increase after you win.' Nomination, not so much,' she continued. 'Why does it have to do anything with a raise?' She also talked about that controversial ending: 'That was my idea, so… Sorry. Initially, I said: 'Let him kill her.'' However, Wright said getting to direct the show was a 'gift.' 'It was the camera operator on 'House of Cards' who said, 'Why don't you just try?'' she recalled. 'I learned so much on that show. I didn't feel any pressure. I was encouraged to do it.' She also previewed her upcoming series, Amazon MGM Studios' psychological thriller 'The Girlfriend.' 'We all collaborated together to build this tension between two women who fight for this young man,' she said. Adapted from the novel by Michelle Frances – and featuring Olivia Cooke ('House of the Dragon'), Laurie Davidson ('Mary and George') and Waleed Zuaiter ('Gangs of London') – it will see Wright as Laura, who has it all: a glittering career, a loving husband and her precious only son, Daniel (Davidson). But Laura's seemingly perfect life is blown apart when Daniel brings home Cherry (Cooke), the girlfriend who changes everything. Wright is exec-producing, directing and starring in the six-episode limited series, set to premiere in the fall. Wright will receive the Crystal Nymph Award at Monte-Carlo TV fest in recognition of her exceptional career and her enduring influence on the audiovisual industry. She first started out in TV – in the soap opera 'Santa Barbara' – before moving into film. Wright is also engaged in activism, advocating for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and launching the charitable female sleepwear line Pour Les Femmes. She noted: 'I did it because I couldn't get any traction in Washington DC for the women of Congo. I really wanted to go to electronic companies and say: 'Can you wake up?' If you charge one dollar more for your iPhone, that dollar can go for protecting them. A lot of these women that I've met in hospitals are now doctors and lawyers.' 'Was there any pushback from DC? Yes. Congress people, they promise: 'We will get to it.' They just want to take a selfie with you.' Wright was joined on stage by Rola Bauer, executive producer for Amazon MGM Studios, who shared her philosophy when it comes to new shows: 'If you don't entertain people, they are not going to come. If it's possible, and if we can, enlighten [with these shows]. Give something back.' Later, Wright also talked about her film career including iconic titles like 'Princess Bride' and 'Forrest Gump.' 'People still ask me about these films. Only about these films.' She still has a soft spot for underseen Rebecca Miller's 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee' – 'I wish she would work more' – but already-announced project 'Kissinger Takes Paris' with Tim Roth cast as Henry Kissinger might not see the light of the day. 'I don't think this is happening. It has been radio-silent for almost a year.' As for her biggest achievements, Wright answered: 'My children are still alive. As for my career… There's this window in your late 30s and early 40s, and there were no roles. It was dry. That's when 'House of Cards' came up. It helped me plateau for a while. I don't know if I would be able to get parts in films at the time.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Robin Wright reveals silver lining of Kevin Spacey pay discrepancy
Robin Wright, who played Claire Underwood in Netflix 's ' House of Cards,' claimed she didn't receive equal pay to co-star Kevin Spacey because she hadn't won an Oscar. Wright said executives told her they couldn't pay her the same as an actor without an Academy Award, offering her an executive producer role and directing opportunities instead. Wright questioned why pay should be tied to winning an Oscar, noting that this protocol has been in place for years. Kevin Spacey, who has faced sexual misconduct allegations, has won two Oscars, while Wright has never been nominated despite starring in several acclaimed films. Wright is grateful to the 'House of Cards' team for allowing her to direct episodes, which led to further directing opportunities in shows like 'Ozark' and 'Tell Me Lies.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Robin Wright reveals AI fears
Robin Wright has revealed the future of AI "frightens" her. The actress was appearing at the Monte-Carlo Television festival when she was asked how she feels about artificial intelligence becoming more commonplace in her industry. Wright has admitted she does worry AI could lead to job losses in the near future. "It frightens me for our industry and it's such a dichotomy," she told Deadline in response to a question about AI. "It's tough, because I know it's going to help in the medical world tremendously. But everywhere else, people are going to lose jobs." However, when pressed on how AI could directly impact actors, Wright remained confident a human performance will always have more impact than a computer generated image. "People say: 'Well, don't you think that it'll take over acting?' I don't think it ever can because I don't think it will ever get the emotion in the eyes," the star continued. "You'll never feel the resonance coming from that actor." Elsewhere in her appearance at the festival, the 59-year-old actress explained why she received multiple pay checks during her time on House of Cards, which also starred Kevin Spacey. Wright recalled how bosses on the popular Netflix drama paid her to act, direct and produce to ensure her wage equalled her co-star. "Well, we can't pay you the same as an actor, so we're going to divvy it up to make it equal and make you executive producer, and then you can direct, and then we'll give you three different paychecks.," Wright shared. "I said, 'Why can't you pay me the same as an actor?' And they said, 'Because you didn't win an Academy Award.'"
Khaleej Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Kevin Spacey directs first feature film in more than 20 years
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has directed his first feature film in more than two decades. Spacey has helmed the supernatural action-thriller in which he features alongside Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, The Expendables), Tyrese Gibson (the Fast & Furious franchise, Morbius), Brianna Hildebrand (Deadpool, Lucifer), Disha Patani (Kalki 2898 AD, Bharat) and Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, The Righteous Gemstones). The indie film, which has the working title of Holiguards, is planned to be the first in a franchise known as Statiguards vs. Holiguards and also stars Harry Goodwins, Swen Temmel and Sonia Pim Couling, Variety reported. It also marks the first feature to be produced by Elledgy Media, owned by Portugal-based Ukrainian entrepreneur Elvira Gavrilova Paterson. Holiguards is set against the backdrop of a near-future world fractured by hidden supernatural forces, where two ancient warrior factions—the Holiguards and the Statiguards—wage a secret war for control of humanity's fate. Amid this conflict, a young woman discovers that she's the daughter of two rival leaders and could end the conflict. The film was shot in Mexico last year and is now in post-production.
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kevin Spacey has directed his first feature film in 20 years
Kevin Spacey has directed his first feature film in 20 years. The two-time Academy Award winner, 65, who has seen his career derailed by a string of sexual abuse accusations, described his return to movie-making as a "liberating" experience. His new film is the supernatural action-thriller titled 'Holiguards', which was shot in Mexico in 2023 and is now in post-production. The film is being positioned as the launch of a potential franchise under the banner 'Statiguards vs. Holiguards', according to Variety. Kevin appears alongside a cast that includes Dolph Lundgren, 66, Tyrese Gibson, 45, Brianna Hildebrand, 28, Disha Patani, 32, and 68-year-old Eric Roberts. The film also stars Harry Goodwins, Swen Temmel and Sonia Pim Couling. Kevin's project had a budget of approximately $10million and is the first feature film to be produced by Elledgy Media, a company owned by Portugal-based Ukrainian entrepreneur Elvira Gavrilova Paterson. Other production partners include Lado Film. Producers named on the project include Paterson, Vadim Degtyarev and Vitaly Kucherov. The script was written by Sergey Torchilin and Lado Okhotnikov. Set in a dystopian future shaped by supernatural conflict, 'Holiguards' follows the covert battle between two ancient factions—the Holiguards and the Statiguards. In the midst of this hidden war, a young woman discovers she is the daughter of two rival leaders and may hold the key to peace. Meanwhile, a Statiguard tactician plots a nuclear strike in Paris, using mind-controlled civilians and energy from a cosmic portal to awaken an entity known as the Prime. A trailer for the film was privately shown to potential buyers at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where Kevin made a prominent return to public life. He was seen at multiple events during the event, including the amfAR gala dinner and the Better World Fund gala. At the latter, he received a lifetime achievement award and delivered a 10-minute speech addressing his professional ostracisation. Kevin said: 'It's nice to be back.' 'Holiguards' was not Kevin's only presence in Cannes. He also appeared to promote the British indie film 'The Awakening', a conspiracy action-thriller in which he plays the head of a secretive global organisation. Kevin career has hit the skids in the wake of his multiple legal battles, and he has said being frozen out of Hollywood has left him broke, without a home and on the verge of bankruptcy at least twice. He was initially charged with nine sexual offense charges in the UK, but was later acquitted of all charges in 2023. 'Seven' star Kevin also faced and defeated a US civil lawsuit in 2022.
