Michelle Williams Will Star in THE CHALLENGER a Film Based on 1986 Space Shuttle Tragedy
I was in the second grade when the space shuttle Challenger launched and exploded on its journey to space. I have vivid memories of that day sitting in my classroom and being completely in shock when I saw the shuttle explode on TV. That was a crazy emotional day.
Well, that historical tragedy is being developed as a feature film called The Challenger and Michelle Williams is set to star in the film as Christa McAuliffe, the school teacher who was on board the shuttle. The story will revolve around her. Here’s the story description:
The Challenger will follow the true story of McAuliffe, a New Hampshire high school teacher who was selected to join NASA’s Teacher in Space Project. She eventually became part of the astronaut crew on the Space Shuttle Challenger, which launched from Cape Canaveral on January 28, 1986. The shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff, on live TV, killing all seven aboard.
McAuliffe’s memory and mission left a lasting impression and legacy on her family, community and teachers worldwide (as the first teacher in space, McAuliffe was to have conducted classes during the mission). Many schools have been named in her honor, and she posthumously received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
The movie is being directed by Martin Zandvliet (Land of Mine) from a script written by Jayson Rothwell. Producer Ben Renzo had this to say in a statement:
“We are more than humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunity to help tell the story of Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger mission. 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.”
I wondered when Hollywood would get around to developing a film that tells the story of this tragic event, and here it is. I’m not really familiar with the director’s work, but Williams is a great actress that is going to be great in the role of McAuliffe.
Source: Deadline
