First ‘Hidden Figures’ Trailer: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer Play NASA Mathematicians (Video)

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe play overlooked NASA mathematicians in the first trailer for “Hidden Figures,” a historical drama about three brilliant African-American women who helped launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit.

The trailer highlights the troubles each woman faced during their careers because of their gender; Henson gets mistaken for a janitor, while a police officer says he wasn’t even aware NASA hired women for the space program.

“Every time we have a chance to get ahead, they move the finish line. Every time,” Monáe’s character tells her friends.

Also Read: Octavia Spencer Explains Why Her New Movie About Black Women at '60s NASA Is Seriously Overdue

Ted Melfi is directing the movie and producing with Chernin Entertainment and Donna Gigliotti of Levantine Films. The film is based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s upcoming book “Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race,” which will be published next month by HarperCollins.

The film focuses on three women who served as the brains behind NASA’s Friendship 7 mission, which saw Glenn become the first American to orbit Earth, in 1962. Henson plays Katherine Johnson, Spencer plays Dorothy Vaughan and Monae plays the youngest member of the trio, Mary Jackson.

“Hidden Figures” will be released on Jan. 13 and also stars Kevin Costner and Kirsten Dunst.

Also Read: Janelle Monae Joins Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer in Fox 2000's 'Hidden Figures' (Exclusive)

Watch the video above.