It looks like Hollywood isn’t just obsessed with Lance Armstrong for biopic material. While the cyclist is currently the subject of at least three developing feature films and one documentary, you can you now add Hillary Clinton to the multiple project list. Earlier this year, news broke that “Smashed” and “The Spectacular Now” director James Ponsoldt was going to direct “Rodham,” from a Black List finalist script. And while the hunt for the lead actress to continues—names like Jessica Chastain, Carey Mulligan, Scarlett Johansson, Amanda Seyfried and Reese Witherspoon were all rumored/wishlisted—it looks like NBC is moving forward with their own movie on Clinton, complete with an actress attached.
The network announced this weekend that Diane Lane—yep, Superman’s mom and Academy Award nominee—is attached to star in a 4-hour mini-series on the politician’s life, set to be directed by “Frozen River” helmer Courtney Hunt. However, “Rodham” doesn’t need to worry too much. First of all, the NBC project has no script at the moment and also focuses on an entirely different portion of Clinton’s life. Where “Rodham” will track her beginnings and rise of a politician, the mini-series will start during Bill Clinton‘s presidency where Hillary served as first lady, and track her journey as she took on roles as senator, Democratic presidential nominee and secretary of state. And the network promises it will be even-handed in terms of criticism and praise when it comes to dealing with Clinton and her work.
“I don’t think she will endorse it,” NBC exec Robert Greenblatt said. Either way, it’s one to keep on the radar if only because the talent is so strong. Lane is always one to watch, while we’ve been waiting for something more substantive from Hunt ever since “Frozen River” in 2008 (she’s since done episodes of “In Treatment” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit“). No word yet on when the mini-series will start shooting, but NBC says it will air before Clinton makes any formal announcements about a run for office in 2016. [New York Times]
