Aaron Sorkin is on board to direct and Sacha Baron Cohen is in early talks to star in “The Trial of the Chicago 7” at Amblin Entertainment, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Steven Spielberg had previously eyed to direct the political drama, which has long been gestating at his Universal Studios-based production company. But with Sorkin directing his own screenplay that he wrote over a decade ago, the project looks to be moving closer to a reality.
Marc Platt is producing.
The film follows the true story about anti-Vietnam protestors rioting against police at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the subsequent federal conspiracy trial in 1969.
Paul Greengrass was attached to “Chicago 7” as far back as 2013, but he ultimately recused himself from the project over disagreements on the film’s budget.
Amblin has likewise sought out an A-list cast for the film, with Baron Cohen flirting with the project in the past to play activist Abbie Hoffman, though there’s no word on who Baron Cohen will be playing now. Ben Stiller and Will Smith have also been eyed for the film in the past.
This is Sorkin’s follow-up to his directorial debut, 2017’s “Molly’s Game” starring Jessica Chastain, for which he also wrote the screenplay.
Baron Cohen’s return to television, “This Is America” on Showtime, recently wrapped its first season. He last starred in the film “Alice Through the Looking Glass” in 2016.
Both Sorkin and Baron Cohen are repped by CAA.
Variety was first to report this news.