Ellen Page to play real-life closeted lesbian marine in new film

Ellen Page has signed on to play a closeted lesbian marine in an upcoming film about the Iraq War based on real events.

The 28-year-old X-Men star – who came out as a lesbian herself in February 2014 – will play Lance Corporal Leslie Martz, a US Marine who was stationed in Haditha, Iraq, at a time when it was still illegal to be openly gay in the US military.

Lioness will tell the story of Martz, who as part of a ‘Female Engagement Team’ was tasked with striking up a up a bond with local Iraqi women to try and uncover information about their husbands’ roles within the Taliban, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Martz became torn over her mission after developing a mutual respect for the women she was working with, while also struggling to hide her sexuality from her superiors. The independent drama film is being developed by James Dahl, while Rosalind Ross has penned the script. Producers are reportedly still looking for a director for the project.

Page, who said she “suffered for years” while attempting to hide her sexuality, will next be seen in LGBT civil rights drama Freeheld opposite Julianne Moore and Michael Shannon, which is set for release in the States on October 2.

In This Article: