The Supreme Court Case That Just Turned ‘Same-Sex Marriage’ Into ‘Marriage’ Will Become A Movie

The Supreme Court case that legalized marriage equality about to get the Hollywood treatment from Fox.

According to the New York Times, 20th Century Fox has secured the rights to make a movie about the Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage across the country just two weeks ago, Obergefell v. Hodges. Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, the duo known for producing major Hollywood blockbusters such as the Twilight saga, The Maze Runner, and The Fault in Our Stars, will produce the movie.

The story will focus on Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the marriage equality case. For those not familiar with the details of the trial, Obergefell and his terminally ill partner, John Arthur, flew to Maryland to get married back in 2013 because same-sex marriage was not legal in their home state of Ohio at the time. After Arthur died, Obergefell sued the state of Ohio for refusing to list his name as spouse on the death certificate. The details of the movie were described by Godfrey as “a transcendent love story about someone who goes to such a length for love that he ends up changing the world.”

Here’s Jim Obergefell talking immediately after learning the decision in his Supreme Court case:

Fox bought the life rights of Obergefell and his lawyer, Al Gerhardstein. Additionally, Obergefell will be working with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Debbie Cenziper, to write a book about the case titled 21 Years to Midnight.

The movie won’t be released for at least another two years, so for those of you who don’t want to wait that long, here are a few similar movies that can tide you over.

The Case Against 8 – HBO Documentary Films released this award-winning documentary back in 2014. It takes a look at the groundbreaking Supreme Court case that overturned Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage. It also features the powerhouse legal team of David Boies and Ted Olson. The film was well received by viewers, and currently has a score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

8: The Mormon Proposition – Released in 2010, this documentary exposes the Mormon Church’s underground involvement in the promotion and passage of California’s Proposition 8 as well as the religion’s ongoing campaign against gay rights. The cast includes Academy Award winning writer, Dustin Lance Black, Hal Sparks, and George Takei.

BRIDEGROOM – Released in 2013, this documentary explains how people without the legal protections of marriage can struggle after one person in a relationship dies. The story this movie is based on went viral and currently has a score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

 

Image: Screenshot via PBS NewsHour/YouTube