Tonya Harding never found herself on an Olympic podium, but a biopic about the figure skater may be headed for awards season glory. “I, Tonya” has received an awards-qualifying release date, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The critically acclaimed Margot Robbie-starrer made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, and will open in NY and LA on December 8 with a platform rollout continuing into January.
Though she made history with her stunning triple axels, Harding’s legacy has everything to do with what occurred off the rink. “I, Tonya” revisits one of the most controversial moments in sports history — the attack on Harding’s fellow U.S. skater and competitor Nancy Kerrigan — and shows a side to Harding and her story that many have overlooked. Often reduced to a punchline, Harding was phenomenal athlete, and she was mentally and physically abused by her mother, and later by her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. The pic depicts Harding’s harrowing treatment at the hands of both, portrayed by Allison Janney (“Mom”) and Sebastian Stan (“Captain America” franchise). The dark dramedy also suggests that Harding was largely unaware of the plot to injure Kerrigan.
Harding was the first American woman to complete a triple axel in competition. After her involvement in the Kerrigan scandal, the two-time Olympian and Skate America Champion was banned for life from the U.S. Figure Skating Association.
There’s been plenty of chatter about potential acting noms for both Robbie and Janney. The former also produced the project, which is directed by Craig Gillespie (“The Finest Hours”) and written by Steven Rogers (“Love the Coopers”).