Variety reports that Nicole Kidman is in talks to play former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson in Annapurna Pictures’ Fair and Balanced, the film focusing on the disgraced Fox News chief Roger Ailes. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Margot Robbie is also in talks to join the cast of the film, but is expected to play a fictional character instead of a real person.
Gretchen Carlson’s career at Fox was launched by Roger Ailes. It was her and Megyn Kelly’s sexual harassment allegations that helped contribute to Ailes’ departure from Fox.
Fair and Balanced is described mostly as an ensemble piece, with the majority of the focus being on Roger Ailes. Along with Gretchen Carlson, other characters that will be included in the film are Megyn Kelly (played by Charlize Theron), former anchor Greta Van Susteren, Rupert Murdoch, and former host Bill O’Reilly.
The film will focus primarily on the rise and fall of Ailes’ career at Fox News. His influence in Republican circles helped him assist in the election of a couple of presidents such as Richard Nixon and George Bush. Ailes’ public resignation in 2016 was as a result of numerous sexual misconduct allegations surfacing in the media.
Annapurna is financing and producing the feature. Director Jay Roach (Game Change) is set to direct the film and Charles Randolph has penned the script for the project. Theron will also be producing the feature along with Beth Kong and AJ Dix via Denver & Delilah. Roach, Randolph, and Margaret Riley are also producing.
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