As we previously reported, a biopic about everyone’s favorite lady and potential presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton is in the works. The Black List scripted penned by Young II Kim focuses on the early adulthood of Hillary Rodham who has just been appointed the youngest lawyer on the House Judiciary Committee which was then working on the impeachment of President Nixon. The film focuses on how this young, bright star is caught between her potential political future and her former boyfriend, Bill Clinton, who is teaching in Arkansas. 

Buzz around the script has been building since it was named to the Black List late last year.  This will be a terrific opportunity for a young actress to dive into what will most likely be a meaty leading role.  Remember what happened to Meryl Streep when she played another female politician in the Iron Lady?  She won the Oscar.  

While we are excited for the film we are wildly disappointed, and quite frankly angry, that the directing job went to a man, James Ponsoldt who directed Smashed and the upcoming Spectacular Now.

Hiring a guy to direct the movie about the woman who is working her ass off to put more women in leadership positions around the world in a gigantic slap to everyone working on gender equity issues.  Hiring a woman for this film would make a statement — a really good statement — that yes, a woman can direct the movie about the early years of the most powerful woman in the world.

I am wondering what Hillary Clinton herself would say about this.  But I say bullshit.  This is just such a dumb move because instead of people writing a positive story about the implications of having a woman direct a movie about Hillary Clinton, the story now is that the folks in Hollywood won’t even hire a woman to direct a movie about Hillary Clinton.  I’d love to know who — if any — women were interviewed for this job.

Hillary Clinton Biopic ‘Rodham’ Taps Director James Ponsoldt
(Exclusive) (The Wrap)