WATCH | TIFF 2017: Margot Robbie didn't know Tonya Harding's story was real

Australian actor Margot Robbie said she didn't know her new movie I, Tonya was based on a real-life story.

Margot, 27, stars as former American ice skater Tonya Harding - who pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution following an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan in 1994 - in the Craig Gillespie-directed film.

Speaking to Variety, Margot said, "I didn't realise it was a true story. I thought it was complete fiction, just a wacky story. And then I found out it was all true and I was even more fascinated."

Director Gillespie added that Robbie was a perfect choice for the role because of her capabilities to be funny, dramatic, and emphatic at the same time.

Robbie continued talking about casting her co-star Sebastian Stan who plays Jeff Gillooly, Harding's ex-husband. "When Sebastian came in, he approached Jeff in totally different way to everyone else. We were trying to keep it cool in your audition (looking at Stan) but as soon as you walked out, we were all like 'that's it, that's it, he's the one, oh my god,' it was so good."

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(With PTI Inputs)