Margot Robbie set to play infamous ice skater Tonya Harding
She's set to star in a film detailing the scandalous attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan ahead of the 1994 Olympics
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Margot Robbie is set to explore one of the wildest stories in Olympic history; Deadline reports she's attached to play disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding in the upcoming biopic I, Tonya.
Harding shot to international fame after overcoming a difficult childhood and poor background to rise up as one of ice skating's most successful figures, winning the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and placing second in the World Championships, as well as becoming the first American woman to complete the triple axel jump in a major competition.
Only for that star to come crashing to the ground on the night of 6 January, 1994; when Harding's major rival, Nancy Kerrigan, was attacked as she stepped off the ice after a practice session. It was Harding's own husband, Jeff Gillooly, who had hired someone to break Kerrigan's leg so she would be unable to compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.
Kerrigan's leg was luckily left only bruised, not broken; still the media went wild, as Gillooly tried to shift the blame by testifying against his wife. He was jailed, though Harding avoided serving time by pleading guilty to conspiring to hinder prosecution of the attackers.
During this time, both Kerrigan and Harding were selected for the 1994 Olympic team; a recovered Kerrigan triumphing at the event and walking away with the silver medal, while a distracted and distressed Harding finished eighth.
A perfect Hollywood fable; though I, Tonya is yet to land itself a director, Robbie's also come aboard the project as a producer and is said to personally be on the search for a perfect candidate.
Robbie can next be seen in Suicide Squad, opening in UK cinemas 5 August.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments