To clarify the headline,Leonardo DiCapriois, of course, irreplaceable, as most of the greats are. But yes, he was, at one point, attached to play the defense attorney inThe Ballad of Richard Jewell,and today brings word that recent Oscar winnerSam Rockwellwill be stepping into that juicy role for directorClint Eastwood.
The Ballad of Richard Jewellfollows the heroic security guard who discovered a suspicious backpack at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and quickly evacuated the area, only to see his life turned upside down when he was implicated as a possible suspect in the subsequent Olympic Park bombing. The “fake news” had real consequences, as the media turned him into an instant social pariah, though he maintained his innocence throughout the 88-day ordeal.
Jonah Hillwas originally going to play Jewell back whenEzra Edelman(OJ: Made in America) was attached to direct, and DiCaprio was to have played his defense attorney. Eventually, both actors decided to simply produce, and Eastwood has yet to cast the part of Jewell. Rockwell’s casting should make things a bit easier, as potential stars will know they’ll having a great sparring partner who always brings out the best in his co-stars, as evidenced by his recent turns inThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouriand the FX seriesFosse/Verdon.
Eastwood is directing from a script byBilly Ray, based on aVanity Fairarticle byMarie Brenner. Eastwood is also producing through his Malpaso production banner along withJessica Meier,Kevin Misher,Tim Mooreand DiCaprio’s Appian Way partnerJennifer Davisson Killoran.Balladwas originally set up at Fox, but after the studio was acquired by Disney this spring, all parties thought it best to allow the project to migrate to Eastwood’slongtime homeat Warner Bros.
Rockwell recently playedGeorge W. BushinAdam McKay’sViceand starred oppositeTaraji P. Hensonin the racially charged dramaThe Best of Enemies. He’ll soon be seen inTaika Waititi’s WWII movieJojo Rabbit, and he also lends his voice to the title character in Disney’sThe One and Only Ivan. He’s represented by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment, and his casting was first reported byVariety.
