Charlize Theron is no stranger to transforming herself for a role, so it should come as no surprise that she's looking almost dead ringer for former Fox News host (and now former NBC host) Megyn Kelly in the UNTITLED ROGER AILES PROJECT from director Jay Roach. Kelly, along with other Fox News contributor Gretchen Carlson, made waves when Carlson sued Ailes over sexual harrassment and Kelly also came forward with her own claims against the late CEO of Fox news. The claims forced Ailes to resign his position at Fox News, taking a $40 million in an exit agreement. He died just under a year later. Theron, spotted on the set in full Megyn Kelly wardrobe and hairdo looks to have another spot on portrayal in the making, although being an attractive blonde seems to be the biggest qualification for this film. Take a look below:
Roach's film boasts a hell of a cast already, including Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson, John Lithgow as Roger Ailes, Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch, Alice Eve as Ainsley Earhardt and Margot Robbie as Kayla Pospisil (a fictional character). The film is described as (via IMDB): "A few women decide to take on Fox News boss Roger Ailes and the toxic male culture he presided over at the network" and is written by Charles Randolph (THE BIG SHORT), so there's definitely interest in the project, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum.
The film suffered a minor setback earlier this year, when Annapurna dropped it just before it began filming, but it was quickly snatched up by Lionsgate. For her part, Theron had this to say about the film via US Magazine:
“We’re trying to explore what I think was really the catalyst for these bigger corporations to take action on things I don’t think we’ve really seen in the past … and a huge part is why I think this [#MeToo] movement is still going strong,” Theron told Us. “If that didn’t happen, I don’t know if we would have this kind of movement behind us.”
Kelly herself reacted to Theron playing the part, saying:
“It’s truly an honor to find out that Charlize Theron is playing you in a movie, but I also am a little scared because … I consider that particular chapter of my life hallowed ground. I don’t want anyone misrepresenting it. So I am hopeful that the people associated with that project — and they all seem above-board to me — will be really respectful of the women of Fox News in telling that story.”
Kelly was recently let go of her Today show gig due to controversial comments.
THE UNTITLED ROGER AILES PROJECT will likely debut sometime in 2019.