Hilary Swank To Play The Role Of Racer Janet Guthrie In Upcoming Film

Hilary Swank to play Janet Guthrie: Hilary Swank is all set to play the role of Janet Guthrie in her upcoming movie based on author Stephan Talty's book Speed Girl. A pilot-turned-race car driver, Gutherie was the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 races.

As per the Deadline, Swank will be leading and producing the film alongside Rishi Bajaj and David Moore's Balcony 9 Productions. The movie is set in the backdrop of 1970s when the fight for women's rights was gaining momentum. In 1976, Guthrie made a bid to the Indianapolis 500 facing immense opposition from the racing establishment and her male competitors.

The racer was finally selected for the race in 1978, where she finished in the top 10. Two-time academy award winner Swank has previously produced films like Freedom Writers and Conviction. For her new venture capturing the life and times of Guthrie, she and her husband Philip Schneider will turn into executive producers.

Speaking on her decision to sign up for the project Swank said that it is an incredible true story about female empowerment and going after one's dreams. When she was approached for the role, she immediately agreed to it. "I can't wait to bring her inspiring life to the screen," she said.

Who is  Janet Guthrie?

Born in 1938, Janet Guthrie is a former pilot and flight instructor who turned racing later in her career. In 1976, she became the first woman ever to compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup superspeedway stock car race. Later she became the first woman to qualify and compete at Indianapolis 500 race. In 2005, she released her autobiography titled Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle.