Rachel Weisz is gearing up to play an old Hollywood icon. It has been announced that Weisz has been cast as Elizabeth Taylor in a new biopic from the producers of The King’s Speech and the writer of Slumdog Millionaire, Simon Beaufoy.
The film, entitled A Special Relationship, will explore Taylor’s journey from actress to activist through the view of her friendship with her assistant Roger Wall. The project also has a fast-rising female filmmaking duo with Bert & Bertie helming the picture. The duo is known for their film Troop Zero.
A Special Relationship will shy away from the more glamorous and scandalous aspects of Taylor’s life and instead focus on the star’s role in the fight against AIDS and how much it personally meant to her. The news of the biopic arrives as Renee Zellweger is generating serious Oscar buzz for playing late Hollywood icon, Judy Garland in Judy. The hope is that the same interest will fall upon Weisz and the film itself.
Production company See-Saw Films’ in-house sales arm Cross City Films will launch sales on A Special Relationship at the American Film Market in November.