Sam Rockwell will star in Clint Eastwood‘s upcoming drama, The Ballad Of Richard Jewell. The Oscar winner is taking over the role from Leonardo DiCaprio, who was originally on board to star alongside Jonah Hill. Now the duo’s involvement will be limited to producing.
The film is based on the real-life of security guard Richard Jewell. His life quickly turned upside down after police leaked information to an overzealous reporter stating that Jewell was a possible suspect for the pipe-bombing at Centennial Park during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Thus, Jewell went from hero for discovering the suspicious abandoned backpack and saving hundreds of lives, to one of the most hated men in America. He was cleared as a suspect three months later, but his reputation and health never fully recovered. He died of a heart attack in 2007 at 44.
Rockwell will play the attorney who defends Jewell after he was wrong accused. The role of Jewell has not yet been cast, but will likely be a sought after one. Billy Ray is writing the script, which is based on Marie Brenner‘s Vanity Fair article. The film was originally set up at Fox, but after Disney acquired the studio, it was sold to Warner Bros.
This should be a fascinating project. Eastwood still makes interesting films, and Rockwell always brings something unexpected to each role. Throw them in together with an enticing true story, and The Ballad Of Richard Jewell becomes a very anticipated film. We’ll wait and see who gets cast in the titular role.
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