Kevin Spacey to Play Jack Abramoff in "Casino Jack"

For Kevin Spacey, a Reviled Lobbyist Is No Mere Villain

NY Times

By, Melena Ryzik

December 15, 2010

In its current state Facebook has many virtues. Moviemaking is not among them.

But in the spring of 2009 the director George Hickenlooper (“Factory Girl”) wrote on his Facebook page that Kevin Spacey would be the right actor to play the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff in his new film, “Casino Jack.” A mutual friend saw that post and pointed it out to Dana Brunetti, Mr. Spacey’s producing partner, via a Facebook message.

“So I friended George,” Mr. Brunetti said. “And he friended me back, and we started talking back and forth.” They looped in Mr. Spacey, and Mr. Hickenlooper eventually flew to London to see him. He got the part.