Oscar-nominated actress Margot Robbie has joined Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron in an untitled Annapurna Pictures project that dramatizes the story of a group of women who stood up against toxic male culture at Fox News. The film brings together three of Hollywood’s most prominent actresses to portray the women at the center of a corporate and cultural reckoning.
Left to right: Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron
According to reports, Charlize Theron is set to play former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, while Nicole Kidman will portray former anchor Gretchen Carlson. Margot Robbie will take on the role of one of the network’s associate producers, joining Theron and Kidman in what is being described as an ensemble drama. The film focuses on the women’s collective challenge to then-Fox News chief Roger Ailes, who resigned in 2016 amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
The screenplay is written by Charles Randolph, known for his work on The Big Short, and the film will be directed by Jay Roach, whose credits include high-profile dramatic and political films. Annapurna Pictures is developing the project as an ensemble piece, and casting discussions are reportedly expected to expand in the coming weeks to include portrayals of other key figures from that era at Fox News.
Industry sources suggest Annapurna is looking to cast actors for the roles of Fox owner Rupert Murdoch, host Bill O’Reilly, and former anchor Greta Van Susteren. While those roles remain uncast, the involvement of Theron, Kidman and Robbie signals the studio’s intention to frame the story around the women’s experiences and the broader institutional dynamics at the network.
The untitled Fox News drama aims to examine a period that attracted intense public attention and sparked conversations about workplace harassment, power, and accountability in media institutions. By centering the narrative on the women who spoke out and the legal and cultural consequences that followed, the film promises to address themes of resilience, solidarity, and the complexities of confronting entrenched power structures.
This announcement marks another significant political and biographical drama in Annapurna’s recent slate. The studio is also producing Backseat, a Dick Cheney biopic directed by Adam McKay. Backseat stars Christian Bale as Dick Cheney and features Sam Rockwell in the role of George W. Bush. That film was scheduled for a December 14, 2018 release as part of an awards season strategy, demonstrating Annapurna’s interest in high-profile, politically themed cinema.
At this stage, an official release date for the untitled Fox News project has not been announced. Given the film’s subject matter, the director and creative team are expected to approach the material with careful attention to both the personal stories involved and the wider cultural implications. With a screenplay by Charles Randolph and direction by Jay Roach, the project pairs writers and filmmakers experienced in dramatizing complex, real-world events.
Fans of Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron are likely to watch casting updates closely as Annapurna expands the ensemble and confirms additional creative details. The combination of high-profile talent and a topical, real-world storyline positions the film to generate significant attention on the festival and awards circuit once a release plan is in place.
For now, the key elements confirmed are the principal casting of Robbie, Kidman and Theron, the involvement of Annapurna as the producing studio, the screenplay by Charles Randolph and direction by Jay Roach, and the film’s focus on the events surrounding Roger Ailes’ resignation from Fox News in 2016. Further casting and production details are expected to emerge as the project moves forward.