Following news that Taraji P. Henson has been cast to play math genius Katherine Johnson in the upcoming film, Hidden Figures, Variety confirms that Octavia Spencer has been cast to co-star in the film as a mathematician.
The film centers around a little known group of black women scientists and master mathematicians who helped NASA win the space race was in development. The group included Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, Kathryn Peddrew, Sue Wilder, Eunice Smith and Barbara Holley. The women worked in a segregated unit from the 1940’s to the 1960’s and played an instrumental part in the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and his safe return. Johnson will be the main character in the upcoming production.
Last summer, Spencer and Henson, in addition to Viola Davis and Oprah, were among some of the names being floated to star in the film.
“Hidden Figures” is based on the soon to be released Margot Lee Shetterly book, titled Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race.
A January 13, 2017 release date has already been set for the project.