The political scandal that swarmed Democratic presidential candidate Gary Hart is far enough back that many may not remember it, but there was a huge cast of colorful figures who played a part in his downfall. And so it's not surprising that Jason Reitman's film on Hart, titled The Frontrunner, will feature quite an ensemble around star Hugh Jackman.
Reitman revealed the full cast to Entertainment Weekly, and it's pretty amazing. J.K. Simmons, who has appeared in most of Reitman's films, will play Bill Dixon, Hart's campaign manager and friend from the Vietnam War. Vera Farmiga, who starred in Reitman's Up in the Air, is set to play Hart's wife, Lee, who stood by her husband even after rumors of his infidelity began to spread. Short Term 12's Kaitlyn Dever will play their daughter. Sara Paxton (The Innkeepers) will play Donna Rice, the woman who was at the center of the scandal, having been caught having an extramarital affair with Hart after he challenged reporters to follow his every move. Mike Judge, Ari Graynor, Mamoudou Athie, Alex Karpovsky, Toby Huss, Steve Zsissis, Tommy Dewey, Spencer Garrett, Molly Ephraim, Josh Brener, and Mark O'Brien co-star.
Shooting begins next month, working from a script co-written by Reitman, former Hillary Clinton staffer Jay Carson, and House of Cards producer Matt Bai, who also wrote the 2014 book that inspired the film.
