Katie Holmes is tackling one of the biggest political scandals in U.S. history. The “Dawson’s Creek” alumna has optioned “The Watergate Girl: My Fight For Truth and Justice Against A Criminal President,” former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks’ best-selling autobiography, with plans to produce and star in a feature adaptation of the project. Deadline broke the news.
The book, which hit shelves last year, is described as “the story of a young woman who sought to make her professional mark while trapped in a failing marriage, buffeted by sexist preconceptions, and harboring secrets of her own all during a frightening time. Her house was burgled, her phones were tapped, and even her office trash was rifled through.”
Wine-Banks, who currently serves as a legal analyst on MSNBC, was “one of three assistant Watergate special prosecutors in the obstruction of justice trial against President Nixon’s top aides,” the source details. She was 30 years old at the time, and “the only woman on the team that prosecuted the highest-ranking White House officials.”
“I’m excited to be working with Katie Holmes and am both honored and humbled to have my experience as the only woman on the Watergate trial team shared on the big screen,” said Wine-Banks. “Though it was almost 50 years ago, the story of our investigation and trial remain compelling and relevant to current events and the sexism reflected in my story reverberates today. I hope this film opens up more dialogue around the challenges still facing professional women.”
Holmes added, “I was drawn to this story because it is as relevant today as it was then. Women are constantly trying to break through the glass ceiling in the male workplace and this woman singlehandedly helped reshape the Watergate trial. I am constantly inspired by these strong female protagonists, and it is a world I will always want to explore.”
The “Batman Begins” actress made her feature directorial debut with 2016’s “All We Had,” a mother-daughter drama that she also starred in. No word on whether she’ll step behind the camera for “The Watergate Girl.”
“My advice to other female directors is to spend a good amount of time preparing on your own so that your vision is very clear,” Holmes told us ahead of “All We Had’s” premiere at Tribeca Film Festival. “Pick a good team to surround yourself with and be very clear with your vision to all of the department heads so that everyone knows the goal and everyone can do their best work. And have fun in the process,” she emphasized. “Directing is such a gift because of the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented artists. Enjoy every minute of it.”
“The Secret: Dare to Dream” and “Brahms: The Boy II” are among Holmes’ recent acting credits.
