Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand and Sissy Spacek to Star in Untitled Niki Caro Project for Warner Bros. Pictures in Association with Participant Productions

Business Wire, Feb 1, 2005

BURBANK, Calif. -- Inspiring Drama Also Stars Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean, Richard Jenkins, Jeremy Renner and Michelle Monaghan

Academy Award-winning actresses Charlize Theron ("The Life and Death of Peter Sellers," "Monster"), Frances McDormand ("Laurel Canyon," "Fargo") and Sissy Spacek ("A Home at the End of the World," "In the Bedroom") will star in the upcoming drama Untitled Niki Caro Project for director Niki Caro ("Whale Rider"), presented by Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Participant Productions. The film will also star Woody Harrelson ("Will & Grace," "The People vs. Larry Flynt"), Sean Bean ("National Treasure," "Troy"), Richard Jenkins ("Shall We Dance," "Intolerable Cruelty") and Michelle Monaghan ("Syriana," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"). The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

"Niki Caro is one of the most talented directors working today," Robinov said. "Like `Whale Rider,' this film explores the conflicts that arise when change disrupts the long-held traditions of a community. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Niki and this stellar cast, led by Charlize, Frances and Sissy."

Theron plays single mom Josie Aimes, who rallies her female coworkers to rise above unfair treatment they face at a local mining company. McDormand plays Glory, Josie's closest friend; Spacek and Jenkins are Josie's parents, Alice and Hank; Bean plays Glory's boyfriend Kyle; Harrelson is Josie's lawyer; Renner is Bobby, a mineworker and Josie's former classmate; and Monaghan plays Sherry, Josie's fellow mineworker. Directed by Niki Caro and written by Michael Seitzman ("Here on Earth"), inspired by the book titled "Class Action: The Story of Lois Jenson and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law," by Clara Bingham and Laura Leedy Gansler, the film is being produced by Nick Wechsler, with Nana Greenwald, Jeff Skoll, Helen Bartlett and Doug Claybourne serving as executive producers. Two-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Chris Menges is the director of photography.

Untitled Niki Caro Project will begin production in mid-February in New Mexico and Minnesota, and will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.