Brie Larson is absolutely killing it right now. It's been one standout performance after another with her as of late, from SHORT TERM '12 to ROOM, which has been getting incredible buzz out of Telluride and Toronto, and everything in-between. Excitement has been building for her casting in KONG: SKULL ISLAND, and now she appears primed to add another major role to her resume that her track record says she will absolutely own.
Larson is in talks to play tennis legend Billie Jean King for Fox Searchlight in BATTLE OF THE SEXES, which will tell the story of King's match with retired Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs – an event that was a huge deal when it happened back in 1973. Emma Stone had been targeted for the role originally but had to pass due to a scheduling conflict. Talk about sweeping in and taking advantage of a huge opportunity. Steve Carell will be portraying Riggs under the direction of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
This isn't the only film in development seeking to cover this historic event, with two other motion pictures fighting to come together and be the first out of the gate as well. HBO has one in the works called PROOF with Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti headlining, and then there's another called MATCH MAKER that has Will Ferrell attached to play Riggs.
Larson and Carell together enter another legitimate horse into the race, so it'll be interesting to see which one comes out to take the lead. How many movies do we ever really need about the same thing anyway?
ROOM will see a limited release by A24 on October 16 before going wider on November 6.