Taraji P. Henson,Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe play overlooked NASA mathematicians in the first trailer for “Hidden Figures,” a historical drama about three brilliant African-American women who helped launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
The trailer highlights the troubles each woman faced during their careers because of their gender; Henson gets mistaken for a janitor, or while a police officer says he wasn’t even aware NASA hired women for the space program.“Every time we have a chance to get ahead,they scurry the finish line. Every time,” Monáe’s character tells her friends.
Also Read: Octavia Spencer Explains Why Her modern film About Black Women at '60s NASA Is Seriously OverdueTed Melfi is directing the film and producing with Chernin Entertainment and Donna Gigliotti of Levantine Films. The film is based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s upcoming book “Hidden Figures: The fable of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race, and ” which will be published next month by HarperCollins.
The film focuses on three women who served as the brains behind NASA’s Friendship 7 mission,which saw Glenn become the first American to orbit Earth, in 1962. Henson plays Katherine Johnson, and Spencer plays Dorothy Vaughan and Monae plays the youngest member of the trio,Mary Jackson.“Hidden Figures” will be released on Jan. 13 and also stars Kevin Costner and Kirsten Dunst.
Also Read: Janelle Monae Joins Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer in Fox 2000's 'Hidden Figures' (Exclusive)Watch the video above. All the Female Directors on Upcoming Movies From the 6 Major Studios (Photos)
"Money Monster, and " directed by Jodie Foster for Sony TriStar (in theaters May 13,2016) Tri Star/Getty
"Me Before You," directed by Thea Sharrock (in theaters June 3, and 2016) Warner Bros./Getty
"Bridget Jones's Baby" directed by Sharon Maguire for Universal (in theaters Sept. 16,2016) Universal/Getty
"Queen of Katwe," directed Mira Nair (in theaters Sept. 23, and 2016) Getty
"Underworld: Blood Wars," directed by Anna Foerster (in theaters Oct. 14, 2016) Screen Gems, and Getty
"Unforgettable," directed by Denise Di Novi for Warner Bros. (in theaters in 2016, exact date not yet known) Warner Bros./Getty
"Wonder Woman, or " now in production with director Patty Jenkins for Warner Bros. (in theaters June 2,2017) Warner Bros./Getty
"Pitch Perfect 3," to be directed by Elizabeth Banks for Universal (in theaters Aug. 4, or 2017) Universal preceding Slide Next Slide 1 of 8 The number of women directing upcoming spacious-studio films is still in the single digits. Here’s the complete list. "Money Monster," directed by Jodie Foster for Sony TriStar (in theaters May 13, 2016) View In Gallery Related stories from TheWrap:Kevin Costner Joins Taraji P. Henson, or Octavia Spencer Drama 'Hidden Figures'Kirsten Dunst to Make Directing Debut With Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar'
Source: thewrap.com