We live in a world where the term “fake news” has made its way into the zeitgeist. Well sometimes the idea of “fake news” can turn someone’s life around for the worst, as told in the trailer for “Richard Jewell” (formerly, “The Ballad Of Richard Jewell”)
This ripped-from-the-headlines story is based on a “Vanity Fair” written by journalist Marie Brenner, and adapted for film by “Captain Phillips” writer Billy Ray. It tells the story of Atlanta security guard Richard Jewell, portrayed by Paul Walter Hauser, (“I, Tonya”), and how his heroic actions to stop the 1996 bombing turn him into a suspect. Clint Eastwood brings the story to the screen, but the filmmaker does not appear to be making a credited appearance in this film.
He assembled a stacked cast for his newest movie. Oscar winners Sam Rockwell and Kathy Bates join the cast of “Richard Jewell,” playing Jewell’s lawyer and mother respectively. Jon Hamm portrays the FBI inspector looking for the truth in this real-life fake news case, and Olivia Wilde plays a reporter covering the story.
Here’s the official synopsis for “Richard Jewel:”
The world is first introduced to Richard Jewell as the security guard who reports finding the device at the 1996 Atlanta bombing—his report making him a hero whose swift actions save countless lives. But within days, the law enforcement wannabe becomes the FBI’s number one suspect, vilified by press and public alike, his life ripped apart. Reaching out to independent, anti-establishment attorney Watson Bryant, Jewell staunchly professes his innocence. But Bryant finds he is out of his depth as he fights the combined powers of the FBI, GBI, and APD to clear his client’s name, while keeping Richard from trusting the very people trying to destroy him.
The film drops in theaters on December 13. Check out the new trailer and new photos, via USA Today, below.
