After the scandal with Spacey, he needed to go. That’s obvious. In this case, it was a ridiculous circumstance because he was completely removed and replaced with Plummer in 9 days.

The film was already completed when it was decided that the role would be recast with the older actor, who was director Ridley Scott’s first choice in the role anyway. It took some re-shoots, clever editing, and digital removal of one actor to be replaced with another and it made the film better.

After two weeks of rushed work, Plummer received a supporting Oscar nomination for the work. Plus, he looks better as J. Paul Getty with his natural 88-year old face, then Spacey with all the makeup.