The newest Supreme Court nominee was just announced, but let’s not forget about the most notorious and badass justice of them all: Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Earlier this year, she delighted viewers in “RBG,” a documentary about her incredible career. Now, “On the Basis of Sex” looks to offer an intimate and closer look at an integral moment in both history and Ginsburg’s life.
Here’s the synopsis:
The film tells an inspiring and spirited true story that follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination. The feature will premiere in 2018 in line with Justice Ginsburg’s 25th anniversary on the Supreme Court.
At CinemaCon, director Mimi Leder described how the film went into production in 2017 just as the #MeToo movement kicked into high gear. She called it “a real-life superhero origin story” that’s “more relevant now than ever.” Star Felicity Jones even likened Ginsburg to Rocky Balboa “in that she is a fighter and never gives up.”
“On the Basis of Sex” is Leder’s first feature film in almost 10 years, having previously directed “Pay It Forward” and “Deep Impact.” Her career has largely been spent in television where she’s become one of the most accomplished and formidable directors. She won two Emmys for “ER” and, most recently, served as an executive producer and director for several episodes of HBO’s “The Leftovers.” Her careful cultivation and vision ensured that “The Leftovers” went down as one of the best-directed TV series.
The film stars a great cast of Jones, Armie Hammer, Kathy Bates, Sam Waterston, Jack Reynor, Stephen Root, Cailee Spaeny, and Leder’s “The Leftovers” star Justin Theroux. And screenwriter Daniel Stiepleman must have pulled a few strings because his actual aunt Ruth Bader Ginsburg is reportedly making a small appearance as well.
Focus Features will release “On the Basis of Sex” on December 25.
Here’s the official trailer: