The Trial of the Chicago 7 has been struck from the roll.
Screenwriter of The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin, was set to direct his second feature film — following Molly’s Game — based on a group of antiwar activists who were accused by the federal government of conspiracy and incitement to riot because of the protests surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
The film was set to star Sacha Baron Cohen of This is America, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald star Eddie Redmayne, and Jonathan Majors from Hostiles.
Sorkin joined the project as director in October. The film was originally set to be helmed by Steven Spielberg when it began development in 2008 and had been passed over by both Paul Greengrass and Ben Stiller during the last 10 years.
According to sources, budgetary concerns forced production company, Amblin Partners, to shut down production of the picture which was in pre-production and due to start filming in February.
“Aaron just adapted To Kill a Mockingbird, which is premiering on Broadway this Thursday,” read a statement. “He is currently evaluating his schedule and commitments to determine the best time and way to make The Trial of the Chicago 7. Amblin remains involved as a producer.”
Case closed.
