Some of you might be too young to remember the 1996 Olympic bombing in Atlanta. It shocked the nation, after all, this was pre-World Trade Center bombing and 9/11. Immediately after the bomb went off in Centennial Park in Atlanta, the blame game started and it searingly focused on the security guard who found the bomb and saved countless lives—Richard Jewel.
Now his story, simply entitled Richard Jewel, is being told by filmmaker Clint Eastwood. The legendary actor and filmmaker’s films have been hit or miss lately, but this one looks like it could simultaneously make us think, clear a man’s name, and enlighten and entertain us all.
Warner Bros. has unveiled the first trailer for the film that only start shooting last June. Yup, Eastwood works fast. The man knows what he wants and shoots it efficiently.
I, Tonya breakout Paul Walker Hauser stars as the titular character, while Oscar winner Sam Rockwell portrays his lawyer. Kathy Bates, also an Oscar winner, tackles the role of Jewell’s mother.
This tale looks to put the blame for ruining a man’s life squarely on two entities—U.S. law enforcement and the media. He’s not wrong. Having lived through the events that shook the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, which should have been a triumph for our country, this looks to rightfully place blame on a rush to judgement on the press and the FBI who zeroed in on Jewell almost immediately … “because he fit the lone bomber description.”
Richard Jewell also stars Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde and Ian Gomez. Look for justice for Richard Jewell December 13 in cinemas.