Craig Gillespie will Direct Margot Robbie in Tonya Harding Biopic

June 14, 2016

The Finest Hours’ Craig Gillespie has signed on to direct Margot Robbie in the Tonya Harding biopic I, Tonya

Following a report earlier this year that Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad, The Legend of Tarzan) would lead I, Tonya, Variety reports that the Tonya Harding biopic has found a director in Craig Gillespie, whose credits range from Lars and the Real Girl to the Fright Night remake, last directed Walt Disney Pictures‘ true historical rescue tale The Finest Hours.

The Tonya Harding biopic’s script originated as a spec by Steven Rogers, the scribe behind big screen fare like Kate & Leopold and Love the Coopers. Rogers’ script is based on firsthand interviews with the real Tonya Harding and her former husband turned partner in crime Jeff Gillooly.

The Tonya Harding biopic aims to shine a light on the infamous 1994 incident wherein the Olympic figure skater was connected to an attack on skating rival Nancy Kerrigan. Kerrigan was attacked by a hired thug following a practice session in Detroit. Although the intent was to break Kerrigan’s leg, the skater was only bruised and went on to significantly outperform Harding in the Olympics. Following the event, Harding was prosecuted for the attack alongside Gillooly and several additional parties.

Margot Robbie has been on a roll as of late. Last year she starred opposite Will Smith in Focus, opposite Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor in Z for Zachariah, and memorably cameoed as herself in Adam McKay’s The Big Short. She was in theaters earlier this year opposite Tina Fey in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and, after The Legend of Tarzan, can be seen coming up in the DC Comics antihero ensemble Suicide Squad. She’ll also produce the Tonya Harding biopic through her LuckyChap Entertainment alongside Clubhouse Pictures’ Bryan Unkeless.

How do you feel about Craig Gillespie taking on the Tonya Harding biopic? Let us know in the comments below!

(Photo Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN.com)