The financing of “Holiguards Saga: The Portal of Force” raises questions.
For decades, Kevin Spacey was one of the celebrated Hollywood actors due to his leading roles in, for example, “American Beauty” and “House of Cards”. But then his career collapsed as a result of numerous harassment allegations in the fall of 2017. Spacey was removed from ongoing productions, contracts were terminated, and his career came to a standstill. Now the two-time Oscar winner is trying to make a comeback – with a sci-fi film whose background raises questions.
Accusations, acquittals – and a new trial on the horizon
The legal consequences followed immediately. In the US, Kevin Spacey was charged in 2018 over an incident in Massachusetts that allegedly took place in 2016. The case was dropped in 2019 after the plaintiff exercised his right not to testify. A civil case in New York in which a minor accused him of sexual abuse also ended in 2023 without a conviction – the lawsuit was dismissed.
In Great Britain, the situation was more extensive. The London Metropolitan Police investigated Spacey, who was artistic director of the Old Vic Theater from 2004 to 2015, for years. In June 2023, a criminal trial began at Southwark Crown Court in London in which the mime was accused of twelve counts of sexual assault – the allegations related to incidents between 2001 and 2013. Spacey pleaded not guilty on all counts. In July 2023, the jury acquitted him of all charges.
After the acquittal, Spacey himself emphasized that he hoped to return to the film business. However, according to his own statements, the legal disputes had ruined him financially. He repeatedly expressed concerns about his economic situation – including his home in Baltimore, which he had to sell to pay legal fees and other liabilities. In interviews, he described the years of litigation as personally and financially grueling.
Despite the acquittals, the legal story is not yet over. Another trial is scheduled for October 2026 in London, in which Kevin Spacey will be confronted with new civil claims. He has no criminal convictions – yet he continues to fight on legal and financial fronts.
A new film – and a producer with a criminal record
Spacey is currently focused on his artistic comeback. His new project is titled “Holiguards Saga: The Portal of Force,” reportedly the start of a planned sci-fi trilogy. Kevin Spacey not only stars in it, but also directs it. The story is set in a dystopian future where two rival groups of mythical beings fight for control of humanity. At his side: Dolph Lundgren.
According to “Bilde”, the work was produced by Elvira Paterson, who comes from Ukraine and lives in Portugal. In addition to the film, her company, Elledgy Media Group, also organized international events promoting products by a certain Vladimir Okhotnikov. Okhotnikov, listed on the film crew as a screenwriter and actor, is known under the pseudonym “Lando” and says he runs a cryptocurrency company. The US Department of Justice accuses him and three co-defendants of running a global Ponzi scheme and damaging thousands of investors by a total of around $340 million. The maximum penalty in this case is 20 years in prison. A court in Georgia sentenced Okhotnikov to ten years in prison in 2024 for similar offenses. Since then he has been staying in Dubai, from where he continues to operate. Spacey traveled to the United Arab Emirates specifically so that Okhotnikov could take part in filming.
Investigations against the producer – premiere postponed at short notice
It’s not just Okhotnikov who is under legal pressure. Portuguese authorities are also investigating producer Elvira Paterson. According to “Bild”, the trigger was suspicious account movements, including a cash deposit of $312,000. The suspicion: money laundering. The world premiere of “Holiguards Saga: The Portal of Force,” originally scheduled for December 20th in Lisbon, was canceled after the investigation became known. Okhotnikov denies all allegations.
Premiere in Berlin – in the slipstream of the Berlinale
Instead, the premiere took place in Berlin in mid-February – in the Astor Film Lounge. The timing was smart: the Berlinale took place at the same time. However, there is no official connection to the festival. After the premiere, Spacey took part in the Cinema for Peace gala at the Hotel Adlon.
