Mark Ruffalo to star in Sian Heder's Being Heumann

Actor Mark Ruffalo is set to star opposite Ruth Madeley in Apple Original Films' Being Heumann, directed by Sian Heder. The film is an adaptation of disability rights activist Judy Heumann's memoir.

Recently, it was announced that Madeley will play the titular role. Heder has won an Oscar for his film CODA.

Being Heumann follows Judy Heumann as she leads more than a hundred disabled people to occupy the San Francisco Federal Building for a sit-in protest in 1977, seeking the enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, enabling accessibility to federal spaces to all.

Heumann was bound to a wheelchair after being affected by polio at 18 months. Subjected to discrimination since her childhood, she turned to disability rights activism after being denied enrollment in a public school. She has led several campaigns and was instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act through her civil rights organisation Disabled in Action. She occupied leadership positions under the Clinton and Obama administrations.

Popular for his role as Bruce Banner/Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ruffalo is also known for his works in You Can Count on Me (2000), Zodiac (2007) and Shutter Island (2010). Last seen in Mickey 17, Ruffalo's upcoming film, Crime 101, is in the post-production phase.