In news that will no doubt be completely uncontroversial and totally fine,Nicole Kidmanis in talks to play former Fox News anchorGretchen Carlsonin the upcoming film about disgraced Fox News chiefRoger Ailes. Indeed, the news comes fromVariety, who reports that the Oscar-winning actress is in line to take on the key role inFair and Balanced, which boasts a screenplay by Oscar-winningThe Big Shortco-writerCharles Randolph.
If the deal makes, Kidman would joinCharlize Theron, who is set to play former Fox News hostMegyn Kellyin the film and is also producing. Additionally, Deadline reports thatMargot Robbieis coming onto the project to play Fox News associate producerKayla Pospisil. This Annapurna Pictures drama aims to chronicle the rampant sexual harassment that plagued the Fox News offices from the top down, and the events that ultimately forced out Ailes after Carlson broke her silence and Kelly backed up Carlson’s statements. Both women subsequently left the network.
Jay Roach, who directed HBO’s Emmy-winning political dramasGame ChangeandRecount, is onboard to take the helm of what is his most high-profile theatrically released feature in years. Roach cut his teeth in the comedy realm helming movies likeMeet the ParentsandAustin Powers, but he also recently directed the biopicTrumboso he’s mighty comfortable in dramas as well. With Theron and now potentially Kidman onboard,Fair and Balancedlooks to be one of the most interesting films in development at the moment.
The addition of Kidman only further bolsters the appeal of this project in Hollywood, so I’m curious to see how the rest of this cast comes together, and what other roles there are to fill. Ailes, of course, is the big one, andRussell Croweisalready slated to play Ailes in Showtime’s limited seriesLoudest Voice in the Room, so there will likely be dueling Roger Ailes performances in the future. But is Sean Hannity a role? CanChristian Balejust play all these characters in heavy makeup?
