Niki Caro is returning to the sea to tell another female-led story about overcoming odds. The “Whale Rider” breakout, who most recently helmed Disney’s live-action “Mulan,” is teaming up with Charlize Theron and Netflix for a feature inspired by women surfers “who are fighting for the right to compete in big-wave contests,” Deadline reports.
Based on the New York Times Magazine article “The Fight For Gender Equality In One of the Most Dangerous Sports on Earth” and penned by Becky Johnston, the pic will tell the story of four women “who form a powerful bond as they surf the world’s most dangerous spots” and fight for gender equality. The article focuses on surfers Bianca Valenti, Andrea Moller, Paige Alms, and Keala Kennelly.
Caro is producing the project alongside Denver and Delilah’s Charlize Theron, Beth Kono, and AJ Diz.
Theron and Caro previously collaborated on “North Country,” Caro’s 2005 drama inspired by the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States. Theron received an Oscar nom for her leading role in the pic.
Caro broke out with 2002’s “Whale Rider,” a coming-of-age story about a young Maori girl who dreams of becoming the chief of her people — a title her grandfather believes should be held by a man. “McFarland, USA” and “The Zookeeper’s Wife” are among her other credits.
Theron won an Oscar in 2004 for “Monster.” She was most recently nominated in 2020 for her portrayal of Megyn Kelly in “Bombshell,” a drama based on the true story of how women took down Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic, sexist culture he promoted. She also produced the drama. Theron’s other producing credits include “Long Shot,” “A Private War,” and “Atomic Blonde.”