Netflix Wants Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Here's some cool news on a Saturday! It would appear that Netflix is negotiating to take on the rights to writer/director Aaron Sorkin's THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7. This is kinda a big deal because the film is both very timely and a near lock to be an awards contender. Mr. Sorkin was the writer behind A FEW GOOD MEN, MONEYBALL, MOLLY'S GAME and THE SOCIAL NETWORK (for which he won an Oscar), so the dude's pedigree speaks for itself.

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 tells the real life story of the Chicago Seven, a group of seven activists who were charged by the federal government with conspiracy, inciting to riot and other charges stemming from anti-Vietnam War protests that broke out during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Intended as peaceful protests, they instead devolved into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest included Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale, and their trial was one of the most notorious in history.  

Damn if that doesn't smack you in the face with "current climate status"! This film may be huge. And I haven't even mentioned the all-star cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Strong, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Frank Langella, William Hurt, Michael Keaton and Mark Rylance. As for a release date, industry insiders are saying to look for it some time in 2020 before the Presidential election.