The Hollywood Reporterwrites that Theron has been cast as the former Fox News anchor in an as-yet-untitled project about the downfall of Fox News chairman Roger Ailes.
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The script, by Charles Randolph (The Big Short), is said to center on the sexual misconduct allegations raised against Ailes in 2016 — first by Gretchen Carlson in a lawsuit, and then by numerous other women including Kelly. Ailes was forced to resign later that same year.
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Carlson is also expected to be a character in the film, along with other prominent Fox News figures like Bill O'Reilly, Greta Van Susteren, and Rupert Murdoch. Theron is the only cast member announced so far.
Theron has excelled at playing complicated and even unlikable characters — she won an Oscar in 2004 for playing serial killer Aileen Wuornos. She currently stars in Tully, which reunites her with Young Adultduo Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody.
The Fox News project is being helmed by Jay Roach, who's gotten into the habit of making films about recent political events. He also directed Recount, about the 2000 presidential election, and Game Change, about the 2008 one, and is attached to direct the TV adaptation of Michael Wolff's Fire and Fury.
Annapurna Pictures is producing the movie, which does not yet have a release date.