John Lithgow to play Roger Ailes in new movie

In a new film, John Lithgow will play former Fox... — In a new film, John Lithgow will play former Fox News executive Roger Ailes, who resigned in 2016 after charges of sexual harassment. Credit: Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown

By Rafer Guzmánrafer.guzman@newsday.comAugust 22, 2018

John Lithgow is set to play fallen Fox News executive Roger Ailes in a currently untitled film, according to TheWrap.

A onetime chair and CEO of Fox News, Ailes helped turn the network into a media powerhouse during the 1990s and beyond, until allegations of sexual harassment from former anchor Gretchen Carlson led to his resignation in July 2016. He then began serving as an adviser to presidential candidate Donald Trump.

In the film, Lithgow will head an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman as Carlson, Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly and Margot Robbie as a fictional television producer. Jay Roach, of “Game Change” and “Trumbo,” will direct from a screenplay by Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”).