Helen Mirren May Join Dalton Trumbo Biopic, Opposite Bryan Cranston

If you’re making a movie, it’s never a bad idea to cast Helen Mirren in it. The makers of the biopic Trumbo must think the same, as Variety reports the British actress is in talks for the movie, which is based on the life of Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Bryan Cranston is set for the title role.

Trumbo became one of the most respected and sought after screenwriters of the 1940s, earning his first Oscar nomination in 1941 for writing Kitty Foyle. However his illustrious came to an abrupt halt in 1947, when he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during their investigation into Communist influences in Hollywood. He refused to testify and ‘name names’, and subsequently became one of the ‘Hollywood 10’ screenwriters who were blacklisted by the studio system.

However he continued to write under pen names, winning two Oscars in the 1950s under other names for Roman Holiday and The Brave One. When he was hired to write Spartacus, Kirk Douglas insisted he be allowed to do so under his own name, which helped put an end to blacklist once and for all.

Cranston is playing Dalton Trumbo, with Helen Mirren in talks to play his wife, Cleo.

Jay Roach is set to direct from a script by John McNamara.