‘Taxi Driver’s’ Paul Schrader wants actor Kevin Spacey to star in his Frank Sinatra biopic, says ‘Cancel culture won’t let him go’

Paul Schrader wants actor Kevin Spacey to portray an elderly Frank Sinatra in his biopic. (Photo: X)

American Gigolo (1980) director, Paul Schrader, in an interview with Variety discussed his interests on wanting the Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey to star in a new film of his which will be a Frank Sinatra biopic. The writer/director told the media corporation that he has been in contact with Spacey about portraying an elderly Sinatra in his film.

Despite multiple allegations still fringing on the actor, Schrader doesn’t really seem to mind them. “Cancel culture won’t let him go,” said the director on Spacey’s trial for sexual and indecent charges. “I would not use Kevin if he had been convicted. But he was not convicted,” the director added on his biopic.

The ‘House of Cards’ star was on trial for sexual and indecent assault charges alleged to have occurred between the years 2004-13. Out of the 4 men’s charges, Spacey claimed to have had consensual sexual encounters with two of the men, with the third having have happened to be a “clumsy pass,” but denied having anything to do with the fourth, per previous reports.

Although the 64-year-old actor was acquitted of his charges in July last year, the claims and the vehement eyes of the public haven’t left him yet.

In an interview on X with British journalist Dan Wooton ahead of Channel 4 documentary “Spacey Unmasked,” the actor will be confronted by nine new other victims, accusing him of various forms of inappropriate behavior which ranges from sexual harassment on set, to masturbating in a movie theater during the storming of Normandy scene in “Saving Private Ryan”.

“I take full responsibility for my past behavior and my actions. But I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologize to anyone who’s made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me,” said Schrader’s potential Sinatra.

Also working on a new biopic is esteemed Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese, on… Frank Sinatra. Scorsese who directed Schrader’s script for ‘Taxi Driver’ will be working with Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead, with Jennifer Lawrence to portray Sinatra’s second wife.

Paul Schrader’s new film “Oh Canada” will be premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this year, with Jacob Elordi (Elvis-2022), Richard Gere (Pretty Woman-1990), Uma Thurman (Kill Bill-2003), Michael Imperioli (Goodfellas-1990), and more set to star the feature.