John Lithgow to Star as Roger Ailes in Fox News Film at Annapurna
“The Big Short” writer Charles Randolph is penning the script
Trey Williams | August 22, 2018 @ 10:31 AM
Last Updated: August 22, 2018 @ 10:53 AM
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John Lithgow is set to play former Fox News chief Roger Ailes, who was responsible for the conservative-leaning network’s rise, in Annapurna’s upcoming untitled film about the sexual harassment scandal that put an end to his career,
The film, directed by Jay Roach (“Game Change,” “Trumbo”), will tell the story from the point of view of the women who took on the toxic male culture of Fox News and ultimately led to Ailes’ downfall.
The script is being penned by Academy Award-winner, Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”), and Annapurna is producing the film along with Charlize Theron, Beth Kono, and AJ Dix of Denver and Delilah.
The film features an ensemble cast with characters portraying all of those involved at Fox News during Ailes’ tenure. Lithgow joins a cast that already boasts Theron as Megyn Kelly, Nicole Kidman playing former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, and Margot Robbie in a fictional role of an associate producer.
Ailes resigned from Fox News in 2016 after Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit that resulted in multiple women coming forward with similar claims. At the time, 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, Randolph and Lighthouse Management and Media’s Margaret Media are also producing.
Lithgow is repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and attorney Walter Teller. Roach is repped by WME, Mosaic and attorney Howard Abramson. Randolph is repped by CAA and Lighthouse Management and Media
11 Women Who Have Left Fox News Shows, From Megyn Kelly to Laurie Dhue (Photos)
Fox News has enhanced the careers of numerous women who have served as hosts. All were hired by Roger Ailes, the former network boss who exited in August 2016 amid a sexual harassment scandal.
Greta Van Susteren -- who had been one of Ailes' most stalwart defenders -- left in early September 2016 after saying that Fox had "not felt like a home" for years.
Laurie Dhue was a familiar presence on Fox in the early 2000s but left the network in 2008. She has reportedly been shopping a tell-all book this year.
Outspoken host Elisabeth Hasselbeck left "The View" to join "Fox & Friends" in 2013, which she exited at the end of 2015.
Andrea Tantaros, former co-host of "The Five," filed a lawsuit saying that Fox News operated like a "sex-fueled, Playboy-Mansion-like cult."
Alisyn Camerota hosted a number of Fox News programs during a 16-year run that ended in 2014. She now hosts "New Day" on CNN.
Rudi Bakhtiar jumped from CNN to Fox News in 2006. She claimed she was sexually harassed by correspondent Brian Wilson and later spoke out against Fox News' culture after the Ailes scandal broke. She now works at Reuters.
Kiran Chetry was a Fox News host from 2001 to 2007. She was reportedly also an aspirant for a role on "Fox & Friends," the network's morning show.
Libertarian commentator Jedediah Bila appeared on Fox's "Outnumbered" and later turned up on ABC's "The View."
Her lawsuit started it all: Former Fox host Gretchen Carlson claims Ailes repeatedly sexually harassed her. Her suit was later settled for a reported $20 million.
Megyn Kelly ended her 12-year run with Fox News in early 2017 in exchange for a weekday show at NBC. She turned down a four-year, $100 million offer to stay with Fox News saying that one of the reasons for her departure was to spend more time with her kids. Kelly said she was among those at Fox News sexually harassed by Ailes.
"Happening Now" anchor Jenna Lee announced that she was leaving the Fox News after working there for 10 years. Lee said she still loves being a journalist and that she has "some really big ideas on how to better serve you in that particular arena" without Fox News.
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The Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly scandals have cast even some old departures in a new light
Fox News has enhanced the careers of numerous women who have served as hosts. All were hired by Roger Ailes, the former network boss who exited in August 2016 amid a sexual harassment scandal.
