Natalie Portman to Play Ruth Bader Ginsburg in ‘On the Basis of Sex’

“The Diary of a Teenage Girl” filmmaker Marielle Heller is in negotiations to direct for Focus Features

Natalie Portman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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Oscar winner Natalie Portman will play Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in “On the Basis of Sex,” based on the 2014 Black List script by Daniel Stiepleman, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.

After earning acclaim for “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” at Sundance, Marielle Heller is in negotiations to direct the film, which Focus Features is expected to finance.

Story tracks Ginsburg as she overcomes numerous obstacles while fighting for equal rights. She was the first Jewish female justice, and Portman is Jewish herself.

Robert W. Cort will produce, while Ram Bergman will executive produce, having just worked with Portman on her directorial debut “A Tale of Love and Darkness.” That film will debut at Cannes later this month.

“On the Basis of Sex” will likely head into production before Alex Garland‘s “Annihilation,” which Portman is in talks to topline.

Portman next stars in a pair of Terrence Malick movies as well as Gavin O’Connor’s “Jane Got a Gun,” which she also produced along with “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” She’s represented by CAA.

Heller’s “Diary of a Teenage Girl” stars Bel Powley and Kristen Wiig, and was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. The film will hit theaters on Aug. 7. She’s repped by UTA and attorney PJ Shapiro.

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