Astronaut drama First Man rockets to our screens next week, but a far less triumphant chapter of NASA's history will be part of a new film called The Challenger. Michelle Williams is on to star as teacher-turned-crew member Christa McAuliffe.
Martin Zandvliet will direct the new film from a script by Jayson Rothwell. Williams will play the New Hampshire high school teacher selected to join NASA's Teacher in Space project in the 1980s. She was selected as part of the crew for mission STS-51-L aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, planning to conduct experiments and teach two lessons from the craft while in orbit. 73 seconds after its launch on 28 January 1986, the shuttle broke apart, killing all seven aboard.
McAuliffe’s memory and mission left a lasting impression and legacy on her family, community and teachers worldwide. Many schools have been named in her honour, and she posthumously received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
"We are more than humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunity to help tell the story of Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger mission," producer Ben Renzo tells Deadline. "Christa McAuliffe’s legacy deserves the strength, courage, experience and humanity that Michelle Williams brings to the role. The entire Argent team is honored and eager to responsibly capture and share the events and personal journeys of those surrounding this important historical moment with audiences around the world to help remember and further appreciate the sacrifices Christa and rest of the Challenger crew made to further our journey into space."
Zandvliet will have the cameras rolling next May. As for Williams, she'll next be seen in Venom, which is about to hit UK cinemas.
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