Emma Stone has closed a deal to star in true tennis tale Battle of the Sexes
Although in September, Brie Larson was all set to replace the formerly-attached Emma Stone (The Amazing Spider-Man, Birdman) in the upcoming true tennis tale, Battle of the Sexes, it seems the stars have re-aligned as Variety reports that Stone’s schedule will now allow her to play Billie Jean King in the film. Steve Carell remains attached to play the male lead, and with the deal closed, this will mark their second time working together after the 2011 hit Crazy, Stupid, Love. Brie Larson, meanwhile, has moved on to star in The Glass Castle.
In development at Fox Searchlight Pictures, Battle of the Sexes is one of three big screen takes currently in development focusing on the highly-publicized 1973 tennis match. In real life, Bobby Riggs was an aging tennis pro whose match against the significantly younger Billie Jean King became a broadcast sensation with a lot more going on behind the scenes than most viewers of the day were aware. Steve Carell will play the Riggs role in this iteration with Stone playing King.
Also in development is a Gary Sanchez Productions and Chernin Entertainment project Match Maker, set to star Will Ferrell as Riggs, and a Playtone version, Proof, that is planned to be headlined by Paul Giamatti as Riggs and Elizabeth Banks as King.
The Little Miss Sunshine and Ruby Sparks pair of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris will direct Battle of the Sexes from a screenplay by Slumdog Millionaire scribe Simon Beaufoy. What’s more, Danny Boyle will produce alongside Christian Colson through their respective companies, Decibel Films and Cloud Eight.
Stone will next be seen in Damien Chazelle’s musical La La Land opposite Ryan Gosling.
(Photo credit: WENN)
