It looks like the much-beloved actor Hugh Jackman (Logan, Les Misérables) is finally throwing his hat into politics… at least, he’s going to play a politician in a Gary Hart biopic. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Jackman is taking on the role of former Senator Gary Hart for a film titled The Frontrunner, to be written and directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air).
Hart served as a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 1975 to 1987, but is most famous for his two bids for the presidency in 1984 and 1988. During the latter primary campaign he was considered the frontrunner, far ahead of eventual candidate Mike Dukakis, but his momentum became hobbled by accusations in the media of an extramarital affair. Hart famously challenged the media to, “Follow me around. I don’t care. I’m serious. If anybody wants to put a tail on me, go ahead. They’ll be very bored.” The tabloids accepted the challenge, and photographs of Hart with a woman named Donna Rice aboard a yacht brought a swift end to his candidacy.
Hart eventually rebounded as a valuable voice on national security — warning the Bush administration of the possibility of the 9/11 attacks before they happened — and eventually serving as Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory Council from 2008 to 2011. He also became a prolific author, penning 15 non-fiction books and five novels.
Jackman will next be seen in December’s musical P.T. Barnum biopic The Greatest Showman, while Reitman recently directed the Diablo Cody-penned comedy Tully, starring Charlize Theron for a 2018 release.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
