Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today that Tate Taylor, director of The Help, is set to both write and direct a biopic on Brownie Wise, the marketing pioneer who created the Tupperware home party strategy that made the brand a household name and opened new professional avenues for women. Sandra Bullock is attached to headline the film, which will adapt Bob Kealings non-fiction book Tupperware Unsealed.
Though Brownie Wise is frequently remembered as the idealized 1950s housewife, she was in fact a groundbreaking businesswoman who built a social network through which other women could earn their own money and independence. The first woman ever featured on the cover of Business Week, Wise became a popular and famous figure during her time as a marketing executive for Tupperware. However, her own clashes with company founder Earl Tupper, and the circumstances surrounding her exit from the company, underscored the limits of the liberation movement she personified.
“As a writer-director, Tate has the rare and delicate ability to capture both the romanticism and restrictions of a time and place,” says Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. “In this case 1950’s suburban America. His characters are both immediately recognizable while also uniquely iconic. Such was the magic of Brownie Wise. There is no one better than Sandy to play Brownie — they share a fierce bravery and independent spirit.”
“Sandy and I have been trying to work together for years,” adds Taylor. “Finally, I’m very excited to put Tupperware in her hands. This is a collaborative dream come true.”
The film was packaged by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films and Television, who brought the project to the studio. Joining them as producers are Tom Shelly of Steele Mill Productions and Taylor through his Wyolah Films. John Norris and Alex Young will serve as executive producers. Hannah Minghella and Andrea Giannetti will oversee the project for the studio.
(Photo Credit: Nikki Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN.com)
