Photo: Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty
The actordied on Sunday, just days before his 59th birthday. At the time of his death, Stevenson was on the Italian island of Ischia, where he recently began shooting the movieCassino in Ischia, in which he played the lead character.
Péter Soós directed Stevenson in one of his final movies to wrap production,1242: Gateway to the West, which also stars Michael Ironside and Eric Roberts. (Stevenson replacedKevin Spaceyin the role.)
“I have realized the overwhelming weight of the responsibility that has fallen upon me with our work together on what is surely your last feature film. I will do my very best to honor this,” he wrote. “I have before me an image of you on set analyzing Cesareani’s character with passion. You loved playing him and we had even begun to plan a prequel film about the Cardinal.”
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“During the time we spent together on both sides of the camera, I came to experience how passionately you act, how passionately you live; how much you love to act and live,” wrote Soós. “Everywhere you went on set, in the hotel, there was laughter all around.”
Soós said Stevenson’s last line inGateway to the Westis “I shall be with you.” He added of the significance of that dialogue: “I’ve got your message. I promise you, that’s how it will be.”
Stevenson is also set to appear in theupcomingStar WarsDisney+ seriesAshokwith Rosario Dawson, which debuts in August.
“However,” Deadline added in its summary, “unresolved struggles with his family resurface and he is forced to reconcile all he left behind on his road to fame.”
It’s unclear whetherCassino in Ischiawill move forward and recast Stevenson in the lead role.
source: people.com
