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Toronto International Film Festival

How a first-time director cast Blanchett and Redford in 'Truth'

Carly Mallenbaum
USA TODAY

Robert Redford playing Dan Rather? That's some dream casting right there, and it's a dream that was realized by writer/director James Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt wrote the screenplay for Truth with the distinguished Oscar winner in mind to play the newsman who stepped down from his CBS anchoring job in 2004 after a 60 Minutes story about then-president George W. Bush caused a firestorm.

But how did Vanderbilt, a first-time director, land Redford?

"(I have) incredible luck, clearly," Vanderbilt  told USA TODAY at an L.A. screening of 'Truth' sponsored by Ketel One Vodka. 

He also had a strategy: Since his movie Truth tells the story of Rathergate from 60 Minutes producer Mary Mapes point of view, and is powered by Mapes and Rather's relationship, he needed to cast his Mapes before approaching Redford.

His ideal actress for Mapes? Cate Blanchett, who had just won an Oscar for Blue Jasmine. 

"(Vanderbilt) put a lot of direction in the script, and it jumped off the page," Blanchett told USA TODAY, explaining why she was interested in the part. "Jamie is an extraordinary screenwriter." Once Vanderbilt told her he had Redford in mind for Rather, Blanchett signed on.

So, Vanderbilt was prepared to approach Redford, who he'd met years before when Vanderbilt wrote a movie that Redford was going to direct. (That movie never got made.)

"I wrote a letter (saying) all of the reasons why I thought he'd be amazing for the film," Vanderbilt said. He signed the letter and sent Redford the script.

Then, Vanderbilt got a call from a blocked number. It was Redford, himself.

"When you hear that voice on the phone, you know it's him," said Vanderbilt. "He was like 'Hey Jamie, it's Bob Redford,' and I was like ahhh!" said Vanderbilt.

Redford told Vanderbilt he'd love to do the film, and so the best onscreen pairing in recent history (Blanchett and Redford) was formed.

Truth, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, hits theaters October 16.

Cate Blanchett (left) is Mary Mapes and Robert Redford is Dan Rather in 'Truth.'
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