Well it was inevitable I suppose—it’s time for the Fox News Movie, apparently.Deadlinereports thatCharlize Theronwill portray news anchorMegyn Kellyin Annapurna Pictures’ untitled film about the women working at the Fox News Channel, and the sexual harassment they experienced at the hands of chairmanRoger Ailes, who resigned in disgrace in 2016 amid the revelation of allegations about his behavior.
The film has Oscar-winningThe Big Shortco-writerCharles Randolphpenning the script, who’s been working on the movie since before Ailes’ death. The film will boast an ensemble cast of people playing the notable figures at Fox News during the scandal, which kicked off when ex-hostGretchen Carlsonfiled a $20 million sexual harassment against Ailes and continued when Kelly—another prominent figure at the network—appeared to back up Carlson’s claim with her own experiences. This saw a flood of notable women at Fox News departing the notoriously conservative network for gigs at other channels like MSNBC and NBC.
Jay Roachis directing the film, which is a pretty swell fit given that theAustin Powersfilmmaker has been enmeshed in the world of modern politics recently with HBO films likeGame Change,Recount, and theupcomingFire and FuryTV series adaptationabout the Trump Administration’s first year in office. Roach’s most recent theatrical film was theBryan Cranston-fronted true-story dramaTrumbo.
Theron is simply the first piece of the puzzle as no other casting has occurred, but she’ll no doubt be a big draw for folks eager to see this story told. It’ll be interesting to see who they get to play Ailes—if they’ll go theChristian Baleroute and cover someone up with prosthetics, or find someone with a similar likeness and build.
Annapurna will court controversy long before this Fox News Movie happens, however, as they’ll be releasing directorAdam McKay’sBackseatthis fall, which chronicles the life ofDick Cheneywith Bale playing the former Vice President.
