Actor Robert Redford will play former CBS news anchor Dan Rather in the film “Truth,” a movie based on the 2004 CBS news report where Rather questioned former President George W. Bush’s military record, the Associated Press reports.
Rather cited documents that claimed Bush received preferential treatment while he served in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. The career-derailing documents Rather cited were not authenticated, and his producer Mary Mapes was fired and three others asked were to resign. Rather was spared, but reportedly agreed to leave the following spring in 2006.
Cate Blanchett will play Mapes, as the film centers around her 2005 defense memoir “Truth And Duty: The Press, The President, And The Privilege Of Power.”
Rather left in 2006, but shortly after filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS Corp. and its parent company, Viacom, citing damaged reputation and significant financial loss. He said he spent $2 million of his own money fighting the lawsuit, which was eventually dismissed. Rather maintains that the story is true.
James Vanderbilt will write and direct “Truth,” a directorial debut for the writer.