After scheduling conflicts seemed to be in the way of her getting the role, Variety has confirmed that Emma Stone (Irrational Man) will in fact play tennis superstar Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes.
The film is a retelling of the tennis player’s exhibition match against Bobby Riggs (Steve Carrell, The Big Short) during the 1970s when women’s rights was one of the country’s top social issues. King would go on to beat Riggs which made the event one of the cultural touchstones of the movement. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) will direct the film.
Stone was originally in talks for the part but scheduling conflicts kept the deal from happening. This lead to Brie Larson (Room) being next in line for the role. Stone’s casting will allow her to reunite with Carrell after the two worked together in the romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love. She’s also set to star in La La Land with Ryan Gosling (The Big Short), another Crazy, Stupid, Love costar.
Battle of the Sexes joins HBO’s Proof and Match Maker as a third upcoming project surrounding the storied match. Paul Giamatti (Straight Outta Compton) and Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2) will play the lead roles in Proof while Will Ferrell (Zoolander 2) will play Riggs in Match Maker.
No information has been released regarding a production schedule or release date.
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