In any film production, the unexpected can and will always happen. In this case, however, it’s likely pretty expected. For those looking forward to the historical action film 1242: Gateway to the West (2024), there’s recently been a notable change in casting. Per a report from The Hollywood Reporter, actor Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), who was set to star in the lead role of Cesareane, has officially been replaced by Ray Stevenson (RRR) for the remainder of the production due to Spacey’s ongoing legal battles.
The film 1242: Gateway to the West is a period action film that, as the title suggests, takes place way back in the 1200s during the height of the Mongol Empire, which was formed under the anointed Genghis Khan, arguably one of the most fearless leaders and invaders in known history. His empire would become the largest in human history, dwarfing others like the Holy Roman Empire, stretching across all of Asia and into Europe before it would ultimately begin to split over inner conflicts of succession. The film tracks the planned invasion by the Mongols into Europe in 1242, which is unexpectedly hindered by a Hungarian castle keep and its priest named Eusebius (Jeremy Neumark Jones). Directed by Péter Soós (Underworld), the film stars newly-added Ray Stevenson, Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Michael Ironside (Starship Troopers), David Schofield (Valkyrie), and many others.
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Kevin Spacey, who was to star in the film in what would have been one of his first major projects in years since a wave of sexual harassment allegations all but washed away his career, was abruptly removed from the production due to new charges filed in the U.K. However, he was featured on one of the film’s first official promo posters. He now faces a total of 12 charges, has since pleaded not guilty to all of them, and has a trial date set for this coming June. The film’s production has done 30 days of shooting in Hungary and has another 15 to go, with actor Stevenson just now arriving on set. Whether the change-up will lead to substantial reshoots remains to be seen. Carlos Alperin of Galloping Entertainment, which is selling the global rights to the film, told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement:
For another historical tidbit, the nearly unstoppable Mongols also invaded both Russia and Ukraine in their push westward towards Europe.
“The film is looking simply EPIC and will be very well positioned due to Ray Stevenson’s amazing role in RRR, as well as the political background of the war between Russia and Ukraine,”
Despite the November date listed on the film’s IMDB page, Alperin has noted that also, due to the amount of work still needed on the film’s special effects, the film won’t be delivered to prospective buyers until December, meaning no release date until sometime next year.
Ray Stevenson Coasts in His Newfound Spotlight
Stevenson, who was welcomed to the1242: Gateway to the West production with very open arms, has recently been enjoying a press circuit of accolades for his recent performance in RRR (2022), S.S. Rajamouli’s Indian action drama where he plays British governor and antagonist, Scott Buxton. The film is currently on a rollercoaster of award nominations and wins, including the upcoming Oscars, which undoubtedly put Stevenson at the forefront for the recasting in 1242. He’s also known well for his recurring role as Chris Hemsworth’s Asgardian comrade Volstagg in Marvel’s Thor franchise, as well as his character Othere in the super popular Nordic series Vikings (2020) and before that as infamous pirate captain Blackbeard in the series Black Sails (2016).
