Kevin Spacey's Lex appeal

Studio moguls weren't keen on casting Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor in 'Superman Returns', but he was unfazed by their opposition.

What makes a well-respected, Oscar-winning actor play an over-the-top villain based on a cartoon figure in a blockbuster? You might assume a stint in the much-hyped Superman Returns would be beneath this Hollywood thespian, but Kevin Spacey isn't taking Hollywood seriously any more.

Admired for his portrayals, in American Beauty and LA Confidential among a slew of others, Spacey, 46, earned his first Oscar in his role in The Usual Suspects, a film directed by Bryan Singer, who is also at the helm of Superman Returns.

Clearly, Spacey is loyal to the man responsible for taking him out of near obscurity and into the Hollywood mainstream.

"I felt indebted to Bryan not only because of The Usual Suspects and what that role did for my career, but also because the studio wanted him to get rid of me and cast somebody famous for the role of Lex Luthor.

"Bryan stood his ground and fought for me to keep it," says Spacey, smiling. Understandably, the studio took this line because of the movie's whopping budget of US$263 million ($428 million).

Singer also chose unknown actor Brandon Routh for his spandex-clad hero, and Lois Lane's Kate Bosworth isn't too high on anyone's radar either.

Says Spacey, "When I met [director] Tim Burton 11 years ago about doing Superman, they were talking about a very well-known actor [Nicolas Cage] in that role. I thought, 'I don't know if I want to see that person flying around in a cape'. There has to be a sense of disbelief that you're able to go with that you can't do with someone who's famous."

Playing the larger-than-life Lex Luthor didn't faze Spacey as far as the credibility factor. He could have chewed the scenery, but instead he chose to act in the way he would take on any other role.

"Whether you're playing Iago in Othello, or Lex Luthor in Superman, you don't go, 'Oh, now I'm going to twist my moustache'.

"Yes, I'm aware that it is a cartoon and a comic book, but what you're trying to do in a performance is to humanise the character. That doesn't change," he says. "Plus, it's a great iconic part and I had a blast making the movie. Lex doesn't just have villainous qualities, he's also very funny."

Spacey has turned his back on Hollywood and now lives across the pond, spending his 10-year tenure at England's Old Vic Theatre, employed full-time as their artistic director.

"I made a 10-year commitment and have been there nearly two years. I made that commitment because it's the only way to do it properly. I'm very dedicated to this theatre and if I hadn't had a successful career as a film actor, this opportunity would have never happened. So, I'm very grateful for this chance."

Spacey doesn't look at his career choice as a compromise. "We live in a world where infotainment is now the order of the day and I find it unappealing.

"I come from the theatre. I spent 20 years in the theatre before I ever stepped in front of a camera. For me, acting on stage has always been my primary allegiance. I never viewed the theatre as a stepping stone to movies. And after spending 10 years of making more movies than plays I decided I'd like to flip it around and spend 10 years doing more plays than movies.

"I certainly felt that at a certain point I didn't want to be in the [Hollywood] game any more. I was not interested in the singular drive of a film career. I was more interested in doing something that was bigger than myself and something that would affect more people than what movies do. And, quite frankly, I'm much more satisfied and happier as an actor these days."

Spacey is also involved in community theatre groups for children. He doesn't simply give lip-service or hand anyone a blank cheque. He is a very present force in enabling children to develop their artistic pursuits.

"I'm able to work with so many kids through our Outreach programmes. I look at some of these seminars and I see myself as a kid. When I grew up I was the recipient of this kind of theatre group in California when there was a lot of money in the arts," he recalls. "I met Jack Lemmon when I was 13 at one of these seminars and was exposed to an enormous amount of professionals. That was the first thing that gave me confidence. Regardless of whether these kids are going to become actors, it's a positive confidence booster for their life."

Spacey seems content for now. He's not on the Hollywood treadmill looking for his next Oscar. "I don't think about it. Why would you take a part because you thought you'd get an award? If accolades follow the work, great, but if they lead the work then that's rather eccentric and strange."

So, what are his ambitions? "To do exactly what I'm doing now. To do things that are bigger than my own personal career. Something changed in me and I decided to make a left turn. And I did."

It would seem that Spacey has shunned his celebrity status. "I'm not a celebrity. I'm an actor," he distinguishes. "Being a celebrity is not a profession."

I suggest he try telling Paris Hilton that fact.

He smiles, shaking his head. "I won't comment on her, but trust me, there's a difference between being an actor and a celebrity," he says, sounding a little impatient.

"If you don't know the difference, look it up."

Kevin Spacey

* Born: July 26 1959, New Jersey

* Key roles: Wiseguy (TV, 1988), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Swimming with Sharks (1994), The Usual Suspects (1995), Se7en (1995), A Time to Kill (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997), American Beauty (1999), K-Pax (2001), The Shipping News (2001), The Life of David Gale (2003), Beyond the Sea (2004)

* Latest: Starring as Lex Luthor in Superman Returns, starting in cinemas today.