Brie Larson to play Billie Jean King?

“21 Jump Street” actress Brie Larson is in talks to play Tennis player Billie Jean King in the drama “Battle of the Sexes”. Larson replaces Emma Stone, who signed on earlier this year but has since dropped out over scheduling conflicts. Danny Boyle is producing under his Decibel Films banner along with Christian Colson and his company Cloud Eight.

Bobby Riggs was a 55-year-old retired former Wimbledon champion who went against the 29-year-old female tennis star who was ranked no. 2 at the time. Beaufoy’s script was described by Deadline as “a comedy with dramatic and political overtones, handled in the quirky warm and engaging way that Little Miss Sunshine was”. Actor Steve Carell is now set to play Bobby Riggs in the film, reported Variety. Carrell is set to play Riggs, with Larson starring as King. Excitement has been building for her casting in KONG: SKULL ISLAND, and now she appears primed to add another major role to her resume that her track record says she will absolutely own. HBO’s retelling of the same historical tennis match, Proof, will star Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti in the lead roles.