‘Hidden Figures’ Cast, Updates: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer Portray NASA’s Pioneering African-American Mathematicians in New Trailer; Film Vying for Oscar?

‘Hidden Figures’ is set to feature Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae as NASA’s pioneering African-American female mathematicians as revealed in the film’s official trailer. Meanwhile, it was speculated that the film may be working to qualify for the Academy Awards.

According to Rolling Stone, Fox recently released an official trailer for ‘Hidden Figures’ featuring Henson, Spencer, and Monae as three brilliant yet overlooked African-American female mathematicians that historically made space travel possible.

The film is based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s non-fiction book of the same name, which follows Henson as African-American physicist, mathematician, and space scientist Katherine Johnson. In addition to her other achievements, Johnson is credited for her astounding work for Project Mercury of the Apollo 11 flight to the moon in 1969.

In the film, Johnson is joined by Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson as they work to challenge boundaries of early space travel by working at NASA to help launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit. In addition, the trio also battle racial and gender stereotypes at the work place.

The upcoming film is directed by Theodore Melfi and written for the big screen by Melfi and Alison Shroeder. Other members of the cast include Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell, Mahershala Ali, and Aldis Hodge.

It is produced by Melfi, Peter Chernin, Donna Gigliotti, Jenno Topping, and Pharrell Williams. Kevin Halloran, Margot Lee Shetterly, and Mimi Valdes are executive producing.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Melfi’s film is poised for an exclusive preview at the Toronto International Film Festival scheduled to run from September 8 through 18. Fox is also set to host an outdoor concert with Pharrell Williams as well as other artists from the soundtrack. Williams composed the music with Hans Zimmer and is also serving as producer in the film.

It was reported by another article on Deadline that the footage presentation at the TIFF will be followed by a Q&A panel with cast and filmmakers. It was also speculated that Fox is working on having the film qualify for the incoming Academy Awards, with a scheduled premiere in December as shown on IMDB. The studio is yet to comment on the matter.

‘Hidden Figures’ is an upcoming drama film that features the story of African-American space scientist Katherine Johnson. Principal photography began in Atlanta, Georgia last March 2016. It is produced under Fox 2000 Pictures, Chernin Entertainment, Levantine Films, and TSG Entertainment and distributed by 20th Century Fox.