Comic to work with child rapist

John Cleese has signed up to work with paedophile Roman Polanski on his new film.

The director has been a fugitive from American justice since he was charged with drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sex with a minor – but on learning the judge planned to reject that plea, he fled to France and has never returned.

Now the former Python has joined the cast of his new movie The Palace, which is in production in Switzerland, Hollywood website Deadline reports The drama revolves around the staff and guests at a hotel celebrating New Year’s Eve 1999.

Polanski’s films include Chinatown and Rosemary’s Baby. In 2020, his  film An Officer And A Spy won three César Awards in France – prompting multiple resignations from the academy that hands out the accolade. No British or American distributor would touch the film.

Others appearing in The Palace include Mickey Rourke, Joaquim de Almeida and Oliver Masucci.

Published: 29 Apr 2022