Sony Picture Classics emptied its checkbook to acquire Truth at Cannes. Considering that it already has Robert Redford and Cate Blanchett attached to star, it’s not hard to see why.
The deal was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. SPC reportedly spent $6 million to acquire distribution.
Truth was first announced in July and is based on Mary Mapes’ memoir Truth and Duty: The Press, The President, And The Privilege of Power. It centers on how Dan Rather’s infamous 60 Minutes II report on President George W. Bush’s military record. Rather’s reputation took a serious blow and he ended up leaving CBS. Mapes, the producer of the story, was fired.
“He has more faith in truth-telling than most people in Hollywood,” Rather told THR about Redford playing him in July. “In no small part because of that I'm of course pleased and honored that he's agreed to take on the challenge of trying to make a film about political and corporate interference with truth-telling investigative journalism.
Mapes will be played by Blanchett, while Redford will star as Rather. James Vanderbilt (White House Down) wrote the script and is set to direct. Elisabeth Moss, Topher Grace and Dennis Quaid have also been cast.
Financiers on the film are RatPac and Echo Lake.
Redford was just seen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Blanchett stars in Todd Haynes’ Carol, which has earned acclaim at Cannes, and was just seen in Cinderella.
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