Natalie Portman to play pro-gay Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Natalie Portman is reportedly set to play US Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in an upcoming film about her life.

Justice Ginsburg – who along with the other eight justices last month heard arguments in a same-sex marriage case – has been one of the strongest consistent voices on the court in favour of LGBT equality as well as women’s rights.

The second female and first Jewish justice will be the focus of ‘On The Basis Of Sex’, following her career as she weighs in on a number of equality issues.

In recent years, Justice Ginsburg has gathered an unlikely online following and been nicknamed ‘Notorious R.B.G’ for her often-scathing dissents and liberal opinions.

She became the first Supreme Court justice to officiate a same-sex wedding, having first done so in 2013.

The 82-year-old has repeatedly dismissed calls to retire despite her advanced age – claiming that President Obama would not be able to get a liberal replacement through the Republican-controlled Congress.

Deadline reports that Portman will play the Justice in the upcoming film, while Marielle Helleris in negotiations to direct, based on a script from Daniel Stiepleman.

The film is expected to focus on early battles on women’s rights.

The court is set to rule this summer on the subject on same-sex marriage bans – with the potential for a ruling to bring equality to all 50 states.

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