Brie Larson set to play first female US presidential nominee

The Oscar-winner will take on the story of Victoria Woodhull, who earned a nomination in 1872, for Amazon Studios

Hillary Clinton's bid for the presidency during the 2016 US election saw her labelled by some as the first woman ever to run for the office.

However, though her achievement was important and barrier-breaking in its own right, many would argue that Clinton wasn't technically the first female US presidential nominee; she was preceded by Victoria Woodhull in 1872, who ran more than four decades before women were given the right to vote.

Woodhull's remarkable story is one of rebellion and uncrushable ambition. She first made her fortune as a spiritualist, then as the first female stockbroker alongside her sister; all before founding a radical feminist newspaper, becoming an advocate for free love, and establishing herself as a leading figure in the suffrage movement.

Deadline now reports that Brie Larson will star in a biopic of Woodhull's life for Amazon Studios, simply entitled Woodhull; adapted from a script penned by Ben Kopit, with the Oscar-winning Larson also coming onboard as a producer. As an outspoken activist herself, Larson seems a perfect fit for the role, ahead of her leading the MCU's first female-led superhero film with Captain Marvel.

The combination of major talent and enticing historical figure also looks like a major win for Amazon, who are surely hoping to reenter the awards race in the future following Manchester by the Sea's Oscar victory.