A Spielberg Passion Project Is Finally Getting Made

For years Steven Spielberg has wanted to bring The Trial of the Chicago 7 to the big screen. He was attached to direct for a long time, but the project was never able to get off the ground. Now, the project seems to be reignited with Aaron Sorkin on board to direct and Sasha Baron Cohen in talks to star.

From Variety:

Following his directorial debut on "Molly’s Game," Spielberg saw Sorkin as the perfect candidate to take over directing responsibilities on "Chicago 7."

Based on the the documentary by Brett Morgan called "Chicago 10", the film is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the countercultural protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The trial transfixed the nation and sparked a conversation about mayhem intended to undermine the U.S. government.

An A-list ensemble had always been a goal for the movie, with talent like Will Smith being considered during the time of the project’s first brush with development. This time around, Sorkin is also looking for big talent. Coincidentally, Baron Cohen was a top choice of Spielberg’s to play activist Abbie Hoffman in 2008, and it looks like Sorkin still sees him as the perfect actor for the role.

Sorkin has been a coveted screenwriter since the ’90s with classic scripts like "A Few Good Men," "The Social Network," and "The American President," in addition to being the creator of "The West Wing." Following his directing debut on "Molly’s Game," he has taken an eye to directing the scripts he writes as well.

He most recently adapted "To Kill A Mockingbird" for its broadway debut in December.

Read more at Variety.