Scarlett Johansson Tipped to Play Hillary Clinton in ‘Rodham’ Biopic

It’s the must-have role around Hollywood – a veritable who’s who of the under 40-set are battling to play Hillary Clinton in the biopic, Rodham. Penned by Young Il Kim, and to be helmed by James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now) the story follows a 26-year-old Clinton as she works as an Arkansas attorney during Watergate. Several actresses have been mentioned to play the quondam First Lady, and Secretary of State including Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty), Amanda Seyfried (Epic), and Reese Witherspoon (Mud). With regards to this bevy of talent, “word around the campfire” is that Johansson could be at the forefront for playing the role.

“They’re all wonderful actresses. We’re very fortunate that a lot of really great actors are interested in playing these roles. We’re in an enviable position --Regardless of people’s political affiliation or how they feel about Hillary Clinton, you don’t find people who question the quality of her intelligence or her drive. I want a wonderful actress who could embody that,” Ponsoldt told The Independent.

Rodham is "a journey of a woman who was torn between her personal desires and her professional ambition — both literally pulled her thousands of miles apart, because Bill did not want to leave Arkansas, and she did not want to leave Washington, D.C.,” Kim told Politico.

The script was on Hollywood’s 2012 “Black List” – the list of highly acclaimed unproduced screenplays. The Hunger Games, Django Unchained, Slumdog Millionaire, and The King’s Speech are just a few films from said list.

Johansson can be seen in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Don Jon. She is currently shooting Captain America: The Winter Soldier, scheduled for release in April 2014.