We are familiar with Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper on the Big Bang Theory. Parsons also has a following on the stage in Broadway. He was cast in The Normal Heart, Othello, Rosencratz and Guildenstern are Dead, as well as many others. But compared to some of his other Big Bang Theory co-stars, Parsons has a smaller place on the silver screen. That could all change with the release of Hidden Figures.
What Is Hidden Figures?
Hidden Figures is an upcoming 2016 American biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi. The film is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. The film stars Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, the African American physicist, space scientist, and mathematician who calculated flight trajectories for Project Mercury and the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the Moon. The film also features Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, and Kirsten Dunst.
Hidden Figures Poster
Picture taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/
The film recounts the story of the African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson and her two colleagues, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. With their combined efforts, they helped NASA catch up in the Space Race. Using their calculations, John Glenn became the first American astronaut to make a complete orbit of the Earth.
On April 1, 2016, Jim Parsons was cast in the film to play the head engineer at the Space Task Group at NASA, Paul Stafford. Which is certainly a role that Sheldon could get behind.
Hidden Figures is scheduled for a limited release on December 25, 2016. That release will be expanded on January 13, 2017. Unfortunately, most of us will have wait until next year to see Jim in the role. But I’m sure it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, if you are interested, pick up the book.
Man-Witch
In other Jim Parsons related news, he has also managed to snack a title role. This role will be in the upcoming Warner Brothers comedy, Man-Witch. Plans for Man-Witch have been in the works at Warner Bros. for nearly a decade.
The film follows a schoolteacher (Parsons) who suddenly discovers he has supernatural powers. He arouses the interest of a coven and is persuaded to attend a school for witches. Only to discover that his classmates are all girls.
Both Jack Black and Zach Galifianakis were slated to headline Man-Witch with The Hangover‘s Todd Phillips attached to direct. At the moment, no director has been announced, although Jim Parsons will also join Neal Moritz as a producer. Neal Horitz also directed the 90s teen movie Cruel Intentions.
The plot for Man-Witch sounds pretty funny and I’m sure Parsons will be able to deliver the laughs. While Hidden Figures will give him a chance to further explore his dramatic side. But since Man-Witch doesn’t even have a director yet, it will probably be a much longer wait. In the meantime, look for Parsons in the Big Bang Theory, which is about to start its 10th season, and you can look out for Hidden Figures next year.
