The tale of ice skater Tonya Harding is skating its way onto the big screen, via a script penned by Steven Rogers. Deadline has confirmed that Margot Robbie will be playing the titular character of the upcoming I, Tonya.
The story behind this ice skater is sad, and lives in infamy. The woman came up from a poor upbringing in Portland, Oregon, and rose to the top of the figure skating world. Harding is known for being the first American woman to complete the triple axel in major competitions, gaining her a victory in the 1991 US Figure Skating Championships.
Naturally, the world was expecting to see her face off with Nancy Kerrigan in the 1994 Olympic Games, but there was a little hitch. Harding’s husband and hired accomplices tried to break Kerrigan’s leg; but they merely bruised her. Luckily, Kerrigan performed well at the Olympics, scoring the silver medal. Unfortunately, Harding was completely distracted and finished eighth. After the Olympics, the USFSA stripped Harding of her 1994 championship and suited her with a lifetime ban.
The story of a hero who is on the cusp of winning it all, just before being ruined has always made for a cinematic triumph. Now, with Robbie on board, the film is likely to attract some of her fans.
Although I, Tonya does not yet have a directed, Robbie has assured the press that she is in search of a great filmmaker for this piece.