Jane Fonda to Play Nancy Reagan in Lee Daniels' 'The Butler'

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Variety is reporting that political activist Jane Fonda will be playing former Republican First Lady Nancy Reagan in Lee Daniels’ upcoming film, The Butler. The Precious director’s “passion project” centers on Eugene Allen — a butler who served at the White House from 1952 to 1986, ending his career with Ronald Reagan.

Daniels is rounding out his revolving cast, choosing stars for the famous figures that surrounded Allen throughout his career. So far, Forest Whitaker is the front runner for Allen, and Oprah Winfrey is in talks to play Allen’s wife. Rise of the Planet of the Apes star David Oyelowo may play Allen’s son, while Liam Neeson and John Cusack are eyeing up the parts of Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon, respectively. THR previously reported that Mila Kunis may be starring as Jackie Kennedy in the ambitious project, and now Fonda will also be appearing in a “handful of scenes” as Nancy Reagan.

The film hasn’t scored a distributor yet, and no release date is set as of now, but with names like these circling the project what do you make of things so far?