Andrew Garfield and Jessica Chastain will play Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” a biopic that will be directed by Michael Showalter (“The Big Sick”), an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The film will be based on the documentary of the same name that was directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato from World of Wonder. Abe Sylvia wrote the script for the feature. Chastain is producing alongside her producing partner Kelly Carmichael through their Freckle Films production banner, and Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane through their MWM Studios are also producing. Jordana Mollick is executive producing.
Tammy Faye Bakker was an American singer, evangelist and television personality who first gained recognition for “The PTL Club,” a televangelist program she co-founded with her then-husband Jim Bakker in 1974. In 1978, the pair built a Christian theme park called Heritage USA. Later, Jim Bakker was indicted, convicted and imprisoned on numerous counts of fraud and conspiracy. The couple divorced, and she married Roe Messner. She was then diagnosed with colon cancer in 1996 and died of the disease in 2007.
Chastain most recently starred in “Woman Walks Ahead” and will next be seen in “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” and “It: Chapter 2” as the adult version of Beverly Marsh.
Garfield just starred in “Under the Silver Lake” and “Silence,” and will next be seen in “Mainstream.” He was also recently tapped so play pianist James March in “Instrumental,” which will be shopped at the Cannes Film Festival later this month. He’s also been performing in “Angels in America” on Broadway, which garnered him a Tony for his performance.
Chastain and Garfield are both represented by CAA; Mosaic also reps Chastain. Showalter is represented by UTA and Artists First.
Variety first reported the news.