Adam McKay Finds His Dick Cheney In Christian Bale

Academy Award winner Christian Bale might not be the first name that springs to mind when thinking of former Vice President Dick Cheney – but this is the performer reportedly now on board for the lead role in Adam McKay’s planned film about the controversial figure. While the project currently remains untitled, the movie will also feature Academy Award nominees Amy Adams and Steve Carell.

The film continues a move into more socially relevant work by filmmaker Adam McKay – also an Academy Award winner – after the success of 2016’s The Big Short. This Dick Cheney movie will see McKay bring the producers of The Big Short back together – as his Gary Sanchez producing company reunites with Plan B’s team – including Brad Pitt. The project also will cast Steve Carell as former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Amy Adams as Lynne Cheney – wife of Dick.

Now that casting choices have been announced, this film has suddenly become much more intriguing. The life and times of Dick Cheney are already fascinating – with his rise from Halliburton Chief Executive to being one of the most powerful U.S Vice Presidents in history presenting an impressive plot arc. Indeed, he is a man whose social and political impact continues to be felt around the world today – eight years after his departure from office.

His time in the Bush administration saw him play an integral role in the response to the September 11th terrorist attacks, Bush’s War On Terror, the WMD controversy and subsequent Iraq War, and the expansion of government powers. His office was central to the Valerie Plame CIA leak scandal of 2005, he survived an apparent assassination attempt in Afghanistan, and his policies regarding torture are still debated. Then there was the time he shot a man in the face while hunting, of course.

But, it’s the casting of Amy Adams as Lynne Cheney that really draws the attention here, as she’s one of the lesser known aspects of Cheney’s story. A powerful woman in her own right, she’s been close to running for her own political office on more than one occasion – including the Vice Presidency. Hopefully, if Adam McKay strikes the right balance with this script, we’ll have the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating, formidable woman.

It seems that Adam McKay is currently planning to shoot his Dick Cheney film this fall, and will be looking for a 2018 release window. It’s probably safe to assume that Paramount Pictures will time the movie for awards consideration, and all eyes will be on Christian Bale for his interpretation of this particularly divisive individual.