Why production on House of Cards had to be halted: Kevin Spacey is too powerful to be allowed back on set amid sex abuse scandal

The Baltimore Sun

“Spacey’s power as an executive producer and star on House of Cards was enormous,” says David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun, which closely covers the Baltimore-filmed Netflix series. Zurawik adds: “If Spacey didn’t like something or someone involved in the production, every effort was made to change it. You don’t let someone with that kind of power in the workplace return after accusations are leveled against him that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy.” In addition, Zurawik says, “I will be surprised if it ever resumes with Kevin Spacey,” adding: “They are two weeks into a production schedule that would have extended well into 2018 even if they had not shut down Tuesday. Contracts totaling millions of dollars for everything from actors to catering are already signed. Who eats all that financial loss if production never resumes? Even the best insurance won’t cover all of it. And I wonder what kind of insurance covers a star’s likability rating and reputation being shredded by a 30-year-old allegation.”

ALSO:

• Was Kevin Spacey trolling us this whole time with House of Cards?: “House of Cards changed the face of television forever, and that is surely something to reckon with as critics and those disgusted by Spacey dance on its grave,” says Kevin Fallon. “Moreover, the way in which the series and the character of Frank Underwood taunted and toyed with the public with respect to Spacey’s persona certainly contributed to that legacy.”
• Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner “joked” about Kevin Spacey many times on Difficult People