Jennifer Lawrence to play controversial Silicon Valley CEO Elizabeth Holmes

The Oscar-winner will star in Adam McKay's untitled project centered on the Theranos founder

(Getty Images)

Your next major Oscar contender has just geared up for the starting line.

Deadline reports The Big Short director Adam McKay is looking to bring to screen the notorious tale of Silicon Valley CEO Elizabeth Holmes; who Forbes named the richest self-made woman last year thanks to her biotech company Theranos.

Yet, Holmes' net worth evaporated last week when Forbes revised the estimate from $4.5 BN to zero after allegations that the company's blood-testing device gave inaccurate results.

And who should bring to life such a complex, and fascinating, woman? It looks as if the Oscar-winning behemoth of acting Jennifer Lawrence herself has stepped up to the plate, set to both star and produce alongside McKay; who is himself writing and directing the film.

The project is yet to find its home at a studio; yet, with such awards-friendly names attached, a heated bidding war can certainly be expected here.

With McKay landing the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Big Short, this seems like perfect material for the actress; it's rare to see the life of a woman so fascinatingly flawed as Holmes in Hollywood's oeurve, and Lawrence's own history of bold career choices is bound to result in intense awards speculation upon its release.