Mary Surratt

Robert Redford has decided to tackle The Conspirator, a period drama concerning the events that followed the assassination of President Lincoln, written by James Solomon.  James McAvoy and Robin Wright Penn are set to star as Fredrick Aiken and Mary Surratt while Redford directs.

Mary Surratt is the only woman among a group charged with conspiring to kill the president. Frederick Aiken is an idealistic young war hero who unwillingly defends Surratt and in the process comes to believe she is innocent.

The advisers for the film are quite impressive including Pulitzer Prize winner James McPherson and Lincoln assassination experts Thomas Turner and U.S. Army regimental historian Col. Fred Borch.  Apparently, Mary Surratt’s trail is compelling and significant because she was sentenced to death and became the first woman executed by the United States federal government.

Production is schedule to start in October.

(Source)