In an unconventional choice of casting, HBO has announced that Julianne Moore has been cast to play former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin in the HBO movie “Game Change”, which chronicles the 2008 presidential election, according to The Huffington Post.

The film is an adaptation of the tell-all book of the same name, written by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. Moore is the first of the bevy of actors cast for these intense roles, roles that include (of course) John McCain, then-Senator Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The role will be a very interesting one to see Moore tackle–she is a liberal-minded person and recently starred in the indie flick about a lesbian family who deals with the presence of their sperm donor called “The Kids Are All Right”. To see Moore do a complete 180 and play an ultra-conservative, self-proclaimed “maverick” will be a feat that could possibly earn her an Emmy later on down the road.

What will be especially exciting is seeing who will be tapped to play President Obama, McCain, Clinton, et. al. As far as who could play President Obama, I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head, but perhaps they’ll cast some unknowns, however, I extremely doubt it and feel they might try to sway Will Smith.

“Game Change” is being directed and executive produced by Jay Roach, and is written by Danny Strong (who is also co-exec producing). HBO Films is producing the film along with Everyman Pictures.

Julianne Moore