“O.J.: Made In America” is one of the best documentaries of the year, but not just because of its detailed, incisive look at one of the most intriguing and complex figures in American pop culture across the last few decades. Director Ezra Edelman made his multi-part picture feel nothing short of cinematic, telling a sprawling tale about celebrity, racial politics, murder, justice, and so much more. It was only a matter of time before narrative projects landed on his desk, and now he’s got a big one.
Deadline reveals that Edelman will helm the long-in-development “The Ballad Of Richard Jewell” starring Jonah Hill. Based on the Vanity Fair article, “American Nightmare: The Ballad Of Richard Jewell,” the true story follows 34-year-old security guard Richard Jewell, who was falsely identified as the FBI’s prime suspect in the bombing of the Olympic park during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Hill is slated to play the title role, and while Leonardo DiCaprio was once eyeing the role of the Southern lawyer who took up Jewell’s defense, he will not be playing the part, but will remain as a producer. And here’s a bit of trivia: Clint Eastwood was once eyeing the director’s chair, along with Paul Greengrass and David O. Russell. So credit to Edelman for landing a coveted gig.
Billy Ray (“Captain Phillips,” “Shattered Glass“) is penning the script, and let’s hope this gets in front of cameras soon, because it sounds like great stuff.
