Long in the works and once set to star both Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio, the biopic The Ballad of Richard Jewell has had a hard time moving forward. Jewell's sad story is one that intersects with our obsession for celebrity and scandal, so who better to direct the film than Ezra Edelman, who most recently directed the acclaimed O.J. Simpson documentary, O.J.: Made in America?
The Ballad of Richard Jewell finally moves forward with Edelman at the helm and Hill set to play the security guard who became famous when he was accused of masterminding the 1996 Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta. None of it was true, but he was vilified in the press and in the court of public opinion to such a degree it ruined his life. Unfortunately, DiCaprio is no longer attached to the role of Jewell's defense attorney because that would have been a sweet 'Wolf of Wall Street' reunion. No word on who will take the role now, but DiCaprio, who will stick around as a producer, might have some say in the decision.
At one time the film was to see a reteaming of Captain Phillips director Paul Greengrass with writer Billy Ray, but only the latter remains on board. Some other big names have shown interest so it says a lot that Edelman was able to earn the gig.
