BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Spacey not in the Pink

Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey says he has no plans to star in a new Pink Panther film - after a studio executive said he was in talks to appear in the production.

Spacey, who won the best actor prize for his part in American Beauty, said he "had two conversations" with the studio about the role.

He said: "I'm pouring cold water on it because I'm not doing it."

But he did leave open the possibility of considering it in the future, saying: "If I end up doing it, it might be six months down the line, when I actually read a script and decide.

"They've really done something here that's not an imitation, because I wouldn't want to do that."

The original: Peter Sellers as Clouseau

Earlier this week, MGM vice-chairman Chris McGurk said work on a script was nearing completion, and producer Ivan Reitman would be able to start work on the film by the end of the year.

He said the studio was "in discussions" with Spacey about the role of Inspector Clouseau.

Peter Sellers first appeared as the clumsy French inspector in 1963, when he was seen hunting down a thief who had stolen the legendary Pink Panther diamond.

He played the role four more times, before dying of a heart attack in London in 1980. Out-takes of him were used in 1982's tribute to him, Trail of The Pink Panther.

Director Blake Edwards' most recent Pink Panther film, Son of the Pink Panther, was panned when it was released in 1993.

The films also inspired the cartoon series of the same name.

Spacey's new film, The Big Kahuna, opens on Friday in several US cities.


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