Aubrey Plaza is set to play the notorious Heidi Fleiss in the upcoming biopic titled The Heidi Fleiss Story, where she will also take on the role of producer through her company, Evil Hag. This project marks Plaza’s first major undertaking since the tragic passing of her husband, Jeff Baena, earlier this year.
The film, as reported by Variety, will explore the life of Fleiss—infamously dubbed the Hollywood madam—during the tumultuous days leading up to her trial for running an upscale prostitution ring in Los Angeles. Despite facing severe legal challenges, including pandering and tax evasion charges that led to her imprisonment, Fleiss’s story remains a complex narrative of ambition and controversy.
Leah Rachel, who previously worked on Netflix’s Chambers, will make her directorial debut with this film and will co-write the script alongside Rachel Sennott and Travis Jackson. The storyline will focus on Fleiss’s frantic efforts to navigate her legal issues, experimenting with various connections in Los Angeles, and interacting with an aspiring writer named Jaclyn, who becomes instrumental during this challenging time.
Plaza’s involvement in The Heidi Fleiss Story comes after a year of significant activity for the actress, who has taken on several projects, including My Old Ass and a role in Ethan Coen’s upcoming Honey Don’t!. In addition, she is slated to appear in Susan Sarandon’s The Accompanist, as well as voice roles in animated projects like The Ark and the Aardvark.
The shooting for The Heidi Fleiss Story is scheduled to commence in Los Angeles in the upcoming months, potentially ushering in a new chapter for Plaza, who has been navigating her personal grief while returning to work.
This new project represents not just a professional endeavor for Plaza but also an opportunity to channel her experiences and emotions into her craft, indicating her resilience in the face of personal challenges. The film’s exploration of Fleiss’s tumultuous life story might offer a fascinating yet critical look into the complexities of fame and the legal system.