First look at Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin

She may not have been everyone’s first choice to play Sarah Palin, but Julianne Moore
sure seems to have the look down pat.

In the first photo release from the set of HBO’s telefilm Game Change, Moore is seen sporting Palin’s trademark red suit, patriotic pin, and updo hair style. Gone also is Moore’s trademark red hair, instead opting for Palin’s brown, and it looks like she even has Palin’s mannerisms down to her trademark smile.And how does Palin feel about the film?

“I think I’ll just grit my teeth and bear whatever comes my way with that movie,” Palin told Fox News late last month, instead ridiculously suggesting that whoever “capitalizes on pretending to be” her should chip in for her children’s braces.

The film, which began production today (Wedneday), is based on Mark Halperin and John Heilemann’s 2010 book about the 2008 presidential election. The story follows Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign, beginning with his selection of then Alaska governor Sarah Palin to his defeat at the hands of Barack Obama in November of that year.

Along with Moore, the already stellar cast includes Ed Harris as John McCain, Woody Harrelson as Steven Schmidt, McCain’s senior advisor, and the recently announced Ron Livingston as senior campaign adviser Mark Wallace, who had the daunting task of prepping Palin for her now famous debate with then Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Director Jay Roach, best known for his work on comedies such as Meet the Parents and the Austin Powers franchise, will be helming the film. He will be reuniting with writer Danny Strong, whom he worked with on another HBO political film, 2008’s Recount.

If released before the Emmy deadline, everyone will be wondering whether Moore can actually challenge HBO’s recent Mildred Pierce-star Kate Winslet for the Best Actress statue. From what we can tell from this photo, as well as Moore past excellence in almost every role she plays, it could end up being quite a race.

The real questions remains: who will be remembered as making for a better Sarah Palin, Tina Fey or Julianne Moore? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.