AGC Studios announced on Tuesday that it’s acquired the life rights for the story of Lauren Simmons, the youngest female trader to work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
The studio has set the project up for Kiersey Clemons (“Hearts Beat Loud,” “Dope”) to produce and star in the film.
Simmons, in addition to being the youngest woman ever on the trading floor, is currently the only woman at the NYSE and only the second African American female to trade full-time on the floor of the Exchange.
Simmons moved to New York from Georgia with a degree in genetics, but ultimately decided to put that career on hold and answered a posting on LinkedIn for a job with a Wall Street company.
Despite no formal financial background and only a month of preparation, she managed to pass the rigorous Series 19 exam, securing her job and becoming an unexpected and groundbreaking member of the NYSE.
“We’re happy to bring Lauren’s amazing story to the screen,” executive producer Glendon Palmer said in a statement. “She has broken new ground, and Kiersey is the perfect person to portray her.”
Clemons recently garnered acclaim for her singing in the indie “Hearts Beat Loud,” and will next be seen in Disney’s CGI and live action remake of “Lady and the Tramp” and Fox TV’s live broadcast of “Rent.”
Producing alongside Clemons are her longtime managers Eddie Galan and Starr Andreeff. AGC’s Chairman and CEO Stuart Ford, head of film Greg Shapiro, and Palmer, who is head of urban content, will executive produce.
Clemons, Galan and Andreeff have formed Girl on Mercury, a production company represented by UTA and Jackoway Tyerman. The Lauren Simmons project with AGC is Girl on Mercury’s debut project.
The deal was negotiated by Palmer and VP, Legal & Business Affairs Anant Tamirisa on behalf of AGC, by Paradigm on behalf of Simmons, and by UTA on behalf of Kiersey Clemmons.