Eddie Redmayne to star in Aaron Sorkin’s Trial of the Chicago 7

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Eddie Redmayne, who plays the whimsical creature collector, Newt Scamander, for director David Yate's FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD, is in early talks to join the cast of Aaron Sorkin's TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7.

For the upcoming film written and directed by Sorkin, which is based on Brett Morgen’s CHICAGO 10 documentary, Redmayne will play Tom Hayden, the co-founder of the Students for a Democratic Society, a figure known for his stance as an anti-war, civil rights, and radical intellectual activist during the 1960s. In addition to penning the Port Huron Statement – a political manifesto of the Democratic variety – Hayden also stood trial in the case of the Chicago Seven.

In TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7, Sorkin will focus on widely-publicized 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy, arising from the counterculture protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. During the trial's proceedings, whispers of a movement to undermine the U.S. government began to circulate, leading groups of Americans down a path of doubt and fear toward those sworn to uphold the law. With news of Redmayne being in talks for the film, it's also been reported that comedic actor Sacha Baron Cohen is gearing up to participate as well.

Up next for Redmayne is the second chapter of the Harry Potter spin-off series FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD. In the high fantasy adventure, Redmayne will reprise his role as Newt Scamander, a powerful and affable magizoologist charged with keeping the creatures of the wizarding world safe from harm, and away from the ever-prying eyes of Muggles the world over. Written by Harry Potter scribe J.K. Rowling, the fanciful follow-up to Yates' 2016 smash hit will apparate into theaters on November 16th.