Ridley Scott replaces Spacey with Christopher Plummer.

Director Ridley Scott has axed actor Kevin Spacey from All the Money in the World, a film set predominantly in Rome, just six weeks before its release date.

Scott's last-minute move comes amid multiple sexual assault allegations against the 58-year-old Spacey whose role as the late oil tycoon J. Paul Getty is being taken on by 87-year-old Christopher Plummer.

The news follows the decision by the American Film Institute to axe the blockbuster movie from its presigious closing-night slot at the AFI Fest, taking place in Hollywood from 9-16 November.

The film crew has reportedly begun to re-shoot all of Spacey's scenes and Scott is said to be determined to stick to the original 22 December release date, in time for the Christmas holiday season.

The movie centres on the 1973 kidnap in Rome's Piazza Farnese of J. Paul Getty III, the teenage grandson of oil billionaire J. Paul Getty, who was reluctant to pay the $17 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

Written by David Scarpa, based on the book by John Pearson, the movie also stars Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg.