With a surprise SAG Ensemble victory and a $130 million-plus haul at the box office, “” has emerged as a bonafide Oscar contender. The Fox 2000 release about three African American women (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae) who provided NASA with the mathematics necessary to launch their first successful space missions scored nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Spencer), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi). Spencer, Melfi, Schroeder, and producer/composer/songwriter Pharrell Williams sat down recently with Gold Derby to discuss their work on the film.
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Spencer admits that she thought the story was, “historical fiction,” because, “I hadn’t heard or seen anything about these women.” Melfi, who also directed the film, likewise reveals, “I was floored,” upon reading Margot Lee Shetterly‘s book that recounts the amazing true story.
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Octavia Spencer, who plays Dorothy Vaughan
Theodore Melfi, director and co-writer
Allison Schroeder, co-writer
Pharrell Williams, producer, composer, songwriter
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We also spoke with co-stars Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, and Mahershala Ali, as well as costume designer Renee Ehrlich Kalfus, who competes at the Costume Designers Guild Awards for Period Film.
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Janelle Monae, who plays Mary Jackson
Kevin Costner, who plays Al Harrison
Mahershala Ali, who plays Col. Jim Johnson
Renee Ehrlich Kalfus, costume designer
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