After proving their comedic chemistry (with a tinge of drama) in Martin Scorsese‘s The Wolf of Wall Street, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill have found another excuse to work together again. Earlier this year they became attached to the 20th Century Fox film The Ballad of Richard Jewell. Based off Marie Brenner‘s 1997 article for Vanity Fair (read it here), it details the true story of the public torment of Jewell, a security guard working at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was initially lauded as a hero for discovering three pipe bombs on the premises, but then vilified by the media for being a potential suspect, with no evidence to boot. In the adaptation, Hill is attached to play the lead subject, further stepping away from his comedic roots, while DiCaprio would play his lawyer.
We’ve now got the first word on who may direct the project, as Deadline reports Paul Greengrass is now circling the drama. Following the successful Captain Phillips, the helmer hasn’t decided on his next project, so he could certainly fit this one into his schedule. He’d have to wait on a number of factors first, however, as Billy Ray (who wrote Phillips) is completing the script, while DiCaprio has committed to Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s The Revenant this fall. This could easily move forward early next year though and it’s a trio we’d certainly like to see team together. Check back for more updates as they arrive.
What do you think about Greengrass directing the duo?