UPDATED: Though production on the highly anticipated drama was expected to start in two weeks, sources tell Variety that Annapurna Pictures has dropped the untitled Fox News-sexual harassment film starring Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman.
Focus Features is expected to come on board, according to sources. Two other sources say Bron Studios will co-finance the film.
One person close to the situation says Annapurna passed on the project for reasons related to the budget, which kept growing bigger by the day. Two others add that while the budget was a concern, internal issues within the studio may have played a part as well.
It is unknown how this will affect the production and if a postponement is possible.
The movie features an all-star cast that includes Kidman, Theron, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie. The film is directed by Jay Roach (“Trumbo”) and written by Academy Award winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”).
The movie focuses on Ailes’ downfall, zeroing in on a group of female employees who bucked the culture of sexism at the network to oust the news baron from power. Kidman will play Gretchen Carlson, the Fox News anchor who sued Ailes for harassment in July 2016, and Theron will portray Megyn Kelly, a star at the network whose decision to go public with her own story of abuse was seen as a key turning point. Robbie’s character is said to be a fictional Fox News associate producer.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.