Even if you don’t follow American politics that closely, chances are you’ve heard of rabble-rousing, gun loving, Democrat-baiting, catchphrase-coining former Alaskan governor and constant media-magnet Sarah Palin. Now she’s going to be brought to life by Julianne Moore in the new HBO film Game Change.
The plot will chart the attempt by US senator John McCain to win the presidency in 2008 against Barack Obama. Palin first came to international prominence when McCain selected her as a running mate and potential vice president, which sparked a hugely divided reaction across the States. While some flocked to her folksy, homespun persona, others saw her as the world’s greatest source of late night comedy monologue material.
While the outcome is already well known (spoiler alert! McCain and Palin lost!), the real meat will be in the contentious campaign that the two waged.
The team behind the channel’s successful 2008 true-life political tale Recount is crafting Game Change, with Jay Roach directing and Danny Strong penning the script. This time, they’re working from Mark Halperin and John Heilemann’s book of the same name about the McCain run.
While no one has stepped up yet to play McCain, we’re hoping Moore picks up some tips on playing Palin from Tina Fey, who won huge acclaim for her comedy version during the election. Moore’s appeared as a recurring guest on Fey’s sitcom 30 Rock, so it’s not like she doesn’t have her phone number…