Actor Mark Ruffalo will appear with actress Ruth Madeley in an upcoming Apple Original Films production. The movie, titled “Being Heumann,” will be directed by Siân Heder, who won an Oscar for her work on “CODA.
As per information, the movie narrates the tale of Judy Heumann, a prominent activist for disability rights. In 1977, she led a 28-day protest at the San Francisco Federal Building, joined by others who shared her goal: to compel the government to ensure that all federal buildings are accessible for people with disabilities. This was a struggle that took time and effort to achieve. The movie takes its title and is inspired by Heumann’s memoir, which was published in 2010.
In a forthcoming role, Mark Ruffalo takes on Joseph Califano, who served as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare at a specific period. Despite the urgency of signing crucial disability rights legislation, Califano hesitated. It was not until Heumann and her fellow activists staged a sit-in that Califano was convinced to take action. Interestingly, Ruffalo is famously recognized for his portrayal of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with whispers suggesting he may continue this role in future projects.
In 2023, Heumann, who had contracted polio as a child, passed away. Despite this, she made history by becoming the first teacher in New York to use a wheelchair. This was after she successfully sued the state Board of Education for discrimination, as they argued that she wouldn’t be able to evacuate students during emergencies like fires. Interestingly, even though Heumann was born in Philadelphia and Joanna Madeley, known for her role as Shirley Anne Bingham in Doctor Who, hails from England, the two women share similar experiences. Both were given wheelchairs at a young age and are both vocal advocates for disability rights.
[Shirley] being in a wheelchair is not what defines her – and that’s the point,” she emphasized, referencing a scene where her character assertively stated “Don’t treat me as the issue” upon encountering stairs. She expressed the significance of portraying that the challenge isn’t her, but rather the obstacles in her environment. She even mentioned having the phrase “Don’t make me the problem” printed on T-shirts.
Mark Ruffalo Has Starred in Many Movies Based on True Stories
Under his well-recognized persona, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), has graced several films inspired by real events. Among his earlier roles, he played Private Pappas in the 2002 war film “Windtalkers,” and garnered critical praise for his portrayal of Inspector Dave Toschi in the 2007 thriller “Zodiac,” which follows the pursuit of the Zodiac Killer. Ruffalo further showcased his talent as decorated wrestler Dave Schultz, alongside Channing Tatum and Steve Carell in another film.
Lately, he played attorney Robert Bilott in the 2014 legal drama “Dark Waters“. This movie portrayed Bilott’s lawsuit against the chemical company DuPont for polluting Parkersburg, West Virginia. Ruffalo was also a producer on this film, which has an impressive 89% score from critics. He received a nomination for a Satellite Award in the category of Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
Being Heumann has no release date yet.
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2025-06-11 00:09