Clint Eastwood’s next film, “The Ballad of Richard Jewell,” is beginning to take shape. Earlier this week, it was reported that Sam Rockwell landed the coveted role as the defense attorney to Richard Jewell, the accused bomber from the 1996 Olympic Games. And now, we know the actor that Rockwell will be defending in the film, as well as who was also considered instead of the ‘Three Billboards’ Oscar winner.
According to Variety, actor Paul Walter Hauser has earned the role of Richard Jewell in the upcoming drama. Hauser is best known for his scene-stealing role in the Oscar-nominated film “I, Tonya,” playing the bumbling friend/accomplice to Sebastian Stan’s Jeff Gillooly. He’s also seen in the new comedy film “Late Night,” as well as the Oscar-winning film, “BlacKkKlansman.” As we previously reported, ‘Ballad’ has been in development for years, and at one point was set to star Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill. With the addition of Hauser, we now know the duo that will take over for those A-listers.
But it would appear that Rockwell wasn’t the only actor that Eastwood thought about with the role of the defense attorney. Justin Kroll, who reported the Hauser news, also tweeted that the director was considering none other than Christian Bale and Matt Damon for the role that eventually went to Rockwell. However, Hauser was always the filmmaker’s first choice to play the disgraced security guard that was accused of planting a bomb at the Olympic games.
Obviously, you can’t go wrong with Damon, Bale, or Rockwell, so Eastwood’s decision was pretty much a win/win situation. Interestingly, Damon and Bale are starring opposite each other in the upcoming film, “Ford vs Ferrari,” which is expected to be an awards contender at the end of the year.
READ MORE: ‘Ford V Ferrari’ Trailer: Christian Bale & Matt Damon Feel The Need For Speed
No release date has been set for “The Ballad of Richard Jewell,” but it’s shaping up to begin production shortly and will likely be a film to watch out for in 2020.
While Eastwood considered Damon, Bale and Cooper for attorney role before going out to Rockwell, Hauser was always consider top choice from the start, just needed sign off from WB
— Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) June 12, 2019
