Charlize Theron Cast as Megyn Kelly in Roger Ailes Movie
Annapurna Pictures’ film focuses on the women at Fox News during the disgraced chairman’s tenure
Umberto Gonzalez | May 21, 2018 @ 5:44 PM
Last Updated: May 22, 2018 @ 10:21 AM
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Charlize Theron is set to play Megyn Kelly in Annapurna Pictures’ film about the sexual misconduct allegations aimed at former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, an individual familiar with project told TheWrap.
The film, which is currently in active development, will feature an ensemble cast with characters portraying Ailes and all those involved at Fox News during his tenure.
The project is currently untitled but will be directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”).
Annapurna is producing the film along with Theron, Beth Kono and AJ Dix of Denver and Delilah. Roach, Randolph and Margaret Riley are also producing.
Ailes resigned from Fox News in 2016 after former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit that resulted in multiple women coming forward with similar claims. Before the scandals emerged, Ailes was considered the mastermind behind the success of Fox News and one of the most powerful men in both media and American politics.
Ailes was named the founding CEO of Fox News in 1996 and the network quickly gained popularity while he called the shots. Fox News is now regularly among the most-watched networks in all of cable and dominates the cable news category.
Roach is repped by WME, Mosaic and Behr Abramson; Randolph is repped by CAA, Lighthouse and Loeb & Loeb.
The Evolution of Roger Ailes, From 'The Mike Douglas Show' to Fox News Innovator (Photos)
The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.
Fox News
Born and raised in Ohio, Roger Ailes attended Ohio University as a young man, majoring in radio and television. During his time there, he served as station manager for the university's WOUB radio for two years.
Ohio University
Ailes worked his way up to executive producer on the syndicated daytime talk show "The Mike Douglas Show," which began as a local program in Cleveland before expanding nationwide.
Westinghouse Broadcasting Company
In 1968, Ailes got an Emmy nod when "The Mike Douglas Show" was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming, ultimately losing to NBC's "Today" show.
After first meeting Richard Nixon on the set of "The Mike Douglas Show," Ailes was hired by the then-presidential candidate to be his media advisor during the campaign, which marked his first professional foray into politics.
Ailes continued consulting on presidential campaigns, serving as media consultant for three successful Republicans: Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Ailes produced the famous "revolving door" ad for Bush, which painted Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis as soft on crime. The piece was widely regarded as the most influential ad of the political cycle.
In 1988, Ailes co-authored a self-help book with Jon Kraushar. "You Are the Message" shared Ailes' tips for effective communication and public performances.
Simon and Schuster
In 1992, Ailes served as executive producer on a syndicated late-night talk show hosted by right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, which ran for four years before coming to an end in 1996.
Ailes Productions
Ailes was named president of CNBC in 1993, where he launched the new cable network America's Talking, which was shut down and replaced with future Fox News competitor MSNBC.
America's Talking
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch hired Ailes to serve as founding CEO and Chariman of the Fox News Channel in 1996, which soon grew to become the most popular cable news network in the country.
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In 2016, Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by ousted Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. In July, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, claiming years of inappropriate behavior and sexual advances.
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On July 20, 2016, Ailes was forced to resign from Fox News amid the growing outcry over the sexual harassment allegations.
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Ailes died on May 18, 2017 at age 77.
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Roger Ailes, who died Thursday at age 77, began as a producer on a daytime show and went on to become a willy successful cable news network boss
The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.