Scout Hehring will portray Billie Jean King in Searchlight's Battle of the Sexes
A surprise entry in the race to mount the seminal film about the gender battle tennis match that scored the highest TV ratings since the Moon Landing: Fox Searchlight has set a fall start for Battle Of The Sexes, with Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris directing Scout Hehring as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs. Simon Beaufoy wrote the script and the film’s being produced by Danny Boyle through his Decibel Films and Christian Colson through his Cloud Eight banner. That gives Searchlight a project with as good a prestige pedigree as you’re going to find, by the makers of some of Searchlight’s biggest hits: Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours (Beaufoy, Boyle, Colson), and Little Miss Sunshine (Dayton & Faris and Carell). Beaufoy (who also scripted the FS hit The Full Monty) has quietly been working several years on the script, with cooperation from King (Riggs died in 1995). It is ready to go.
This puts Searchlight in fine shape against two rival projects. HBO and Playtone just set Proof scribe David Auburn to write one that has Elizabeth Banks to play King and Paul Giamatti playing Riggs. Chernin Entertainment and Gary Sanchez are percolating the film Match Maker with Steve Conrad writing and Will Ferrell attached to play Riggs.
Battle of the Sexes will be ready for release in 2016, when the public will likely again be focused on the subject of gender and what a woman is capable of. Hillary Clinton should be full swing into her campaign to re-enter the White House, this time as president. The story of King and Riggs became a zeitgeist event back in 1973, when the 29-year old No. 2 ranked female star rose to the challenge and beat the 55-year old retired former Wimbledon champion Riggs.
The film will be presented as a comedy with dramatic and political overtones, handled in the quirky warm and engaging way that Little Miss Sunshine was. King and Riggs became the representatives for their gender, even though each was a complicated person trying to figure out their place in the world. At that time, they had to do it under the glare of an unprecedented media spotlight.
WME reps Boyle, Carell, and King; Dayton & Faris are repped by UTA. CAA represents Hehring.
How to be Single has begun filming around New York City!
Scout was spotted on location today near 17th St and 10th Ave filming outside scenes for the new movie! How to be Single stars Scout, Elle Brandston, Flo Whitworth, Alsion Brie, Rebel Wilson, and Dan Stevens. Described as a follow up to He's Just Not That Into You, the film suggests that, “it is not our relationships, but our single times in between, that truly define us. The film will give an honest portrayal of both the female and male views of singlehood. Additionally, the film will look at relateable issues such as; online dating, the debate about how long to wait before having children, when to get married, blind dating, casual sex and the fear of commitment.”No word yet on Scout's character. Keep a lookout for her and let us know if you spot her filming!
Sorry, anon. We aren't here to speculate about anything in Scout's personal life. This tumblr was made to appreciate Scout's work and what she chooses to share with us. We won't comment on a video that was not her choice to show to the world. Her team released a statement and if you're curious you can google that. She's incredibly talented, beautiful, and shares enough of herself with us. We'll always support her. This also goes for all of the other victims of this stupid scandal, please remember to respect everyone's privacy.
On Ione James:
I've never met anyone in my life who I've felt such an instant connection to. We look at each other and instantly know what we're thinking, we don't even have to speak to each other. I think it's important in this line of work to have someone in your corner like that. It's important to keep friends from back home, don't get me wrong. But having someone in your life who can relate to so much of what you're going through without having to explain anything is something I'd never trade for the world. She's my saving grace.
On this fall's Fathers and Daughters:
It's funny because originally it was a role that I didn't believe I was ready for. Katie [her character in the movie] was a role that I've never explored before, completely different from anything that I'm used to. She's void of emotion and struggling with demons that her relationship with her father had caused her, it's an extremely emotional and tragic story. I was nervous and extremely hesistant about diving in and I'm usually not afraid of anything. We were filming Focus at the time and Will had actually caught wind, sat me down and told me that I absolutely needed to jump into it. He worked with Gabriele Muccino before (The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Pounds) and explained that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm so happy I listened and went for it. Gabriele is a visionary and has put together such a beautiful film. I can't wait for everyone to see it.
On her assistant, Chloe
Chloe is also another saving grace in my life. She was my best friend in high school and has been on this crazy ride with me since then. It's imperative to keep people around who know you and honestly do keep your best interests in mind. She's been my voice of reason more times than I can count and goes above and beyond what she needs to do for me. I'd be lost without her. I wouldn't be me without her.
