Hidden Figures
| Hidden Figures | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Theodore Melfi |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Allison Schroeder |
| Based on |
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mandy Walker |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release dates |
|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Hidden Figures is an upcoming American drama film directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Allison Schroeder, based on the non-fiction book of same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner, Jim Parsons, Janelle Monáe, and Kirsten Dunst.
Principal photography began in early March 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. The film will be released on January 13, 2017 by Fox 2000 Pictures.
Plot
The film recounts the true story of the African-American mathematician, Katherine Johnson, and her two colleagues, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, who helped NASA catch up in the Space Race.[1] Using their calculations, John Glenn became the first American astronaut to make a complete orbit of the Earth.[2]
Cast
- Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematics genius.[1]
- Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan[3]
- Kevin Costner as the head of the space program[4]
- Jim Parsons as Paul Stafford[5]
- Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson[2]
- Kirsten Dunst[6]
- Glen Powell as John Glenn[7][5]
- Mahershala Ali[7]
- Rhoda Griffis
- Maria Howell
Production
On July 9, 2015, it was announced that producer Donna Gigliotti acquired the Margot Lee Shetterly's non-fiction book Hidden Figures about a group of black female mathematicians who helped NASA win the Space Race by providing mathematical computations for the launch of John Glenn and his fellow astronauts into space.[8] Allison Schroeder wrote the script, which was developed by Gigliotti through Levantine Films, which would also produce the film along with Peter Chernin's Chernin Entertainment. Fox 2000 Pictures acquired the film rights, while Theodore Melfi signed on to direct it.[8] Since the film's development was announced, various actresses were revolving to play the black female roles, including Oprah Winfrey, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Taraji P. Henson.[8]
On February 10, 2016, Fox hired Henson to play the lead role of mathematician Katherine Johnson, while producers on the film would be Chernin and Jenno Topping, along with Gigliotti and Melfi.[1] On February 17, Spencer came on board to play Dorothy Vaughan, one of the three lead mathematicians.[3] On March 1, 2016, Kevin Costner was cast in the film to play the head of the space program,[4] and following him, singer Janelle Monáe signed on to play the third lead mathematician, Mary Jackson.[2] Later the same month, Kirsten Dunst, Glen Powell, and Mahershala Ali were cast in the film, where Powell would play astronaut John Glenn,[5] and Ali as Johnson's love interest with the other two for unspecified roles.[6][7] On April 1, 2016, Jim Parsons was cast in the film to play the head engineer at the Space Task Group at NASA, Paul Stafford.[5] In April 2016, Pharrell Williams came on board as a producer on the film, and he would also write original songs and would handle music department and soundtrack of the film.[9]
Principal photography on the film began in early March 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia.[10] Filming also took place at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.[11]
Release
Hidden Figures is scheduled to be released on January 13, 2017 by Fox 2000 Pictures.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 McNary, Dave (February 10, 2016). "Taraji P. Henson to Play Math Genius in New Film ‘Hidden Figures’". Variety. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- 1 2 3 Sneider, Jeff (March 7, 2016). "Janelle Monae Joins Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer in Fox 2000's 'Hidden Figures' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- 1 2 Kroll, Justin (February 17, 2016). "Octavia Spencer to Play Mathematician Opposite Taraji P. Henson in ‘Hidden Figures’ (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- 1 2 Kroll, Justin (March 1, 2016). "Kevin Costner Joins Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer in ‘Hidden Figures’ (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Busch, Anita (April 1, 2016). "Jim Parsons Joins Ted Melfi’s ‘Hidden Figures’ For Fox 2000". Deadline. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- 1 2 Fleming Jr, Mike (March 11, 2016). "Kirsten Dunst Joins Ted Melfi-Directed ‘Hidden Figures’ At Fox 2000". Deadline. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- 1 2 3 Busch, Anita (March 15, 2016). "Ted Melfi's 'Hidden Figures' Adds Glen Powell & Mahershala Ali". Deadline. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- 1 2 3 Fleming Jr, Mike (July 9, 2015). "Ted Melfi & Fox 2000 In Talks For 'Hidden Figures'; How A Group Of Math-Savvy Black Women Helped NASA Win Space Race". Deadline. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ↑ Galuppo, Mia (April 5, 2016). "Pharrell Williams to Produce, Write Music for Fox 2000's 'Hidden Figures'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ↑ "On the Set for 3/11/16: Taraji P. Henson & Octavia Spencer Team Up for ‘Hidden Figures’ While Jordan Peele, Allison Williams & Catherine Keener Wrap ‘Get Out’". SSN Insider. March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ↑ Walljasper, Matt (March 24, 2016). "What’s Filming in Atlanta Now? Baby Driver, Hidden Figures, and a grim warning of things to come". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2016.