Owen Wilson reportedly turned down a hefty paycheck to play a role in an upcoming film that portrays OJ Simpson as innocent of the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson.
The film, titled The Juice and described as a ‘satirical thriller’, is directed by British filmmaker Joshua Newton.
Newton said initial conversations with Owen delved into the possibility of him playing Douglas McCann, a real-life lawyer who became embroiled in several conspiracy theories during Simpson’s 1995 criminal trial.
“Owen Wilson was perfect for the role,” Newton told Rambler Reporter, according to TMZ.
In fact, I had a meeting with him in Santa Monica. Everyone loved the script. His agent wanted him to do it. “We offered him $12 million,” he continued. “But at the end of the lunch, Owen stood up and said, ‘If you think I’m going to take the lead role in a movie about how OJ didn’t do it, you’ve got to be kidding me.’ ‘
Owen Wilson reportedly turned down a hefty paycheck to play a role in an upcoming film portraying OJ Simpson as innocent of the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson; seen in april
The film, titled The Juice and described as a ‘satirical thriller’, is directed by British filmmaker Joshua Newton; DO seen in 2001
Newton revealed that he finally landed another actor who is “perfect” for the role, although he decided not to reveal his identity just yet.
He also said that 30 minutes of the film have already been completed.
DailyMail.com has contacted Owen Wilson’s representatives for comment.
The finished scenes feature English actress Charlotte Kirk as Nicole and German actor Boris Kodjoe as the late NFL star turned acquitted murderer.
Kirk is best known for taking down movie moguls Kevin Tsujihara and Ron Meyer in a 2019 sex scandal.
Newton concluded his intention to finish the film on October 3, coinciding with the 29th anniversary of Simpson’s acquittal.
The late NFL star was acquitted in the 1994-1995 criminal murder trial for the deaths of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman, but was found liable in a 1997 civil trial.
The acquittal, despite the wealth of evidence and the apparent lack of other credible suspects, remains a topic of intense debate and scrutiny.
Trials are also a frequent theme of adaptation in both film and television.
“Owen Wilson was perfect for the role,” Newton told Rambler Reporter, according to TMZ. In fact, I had a meeting with him in Santa Monica. Everyone loved the script. His agent wanted him to do it. We offered him 12 million dollars’; Wilson seen in 2005’s Wedding Crashers
“But at the end of lunch, Owen stood up and said, ‘If you think I’m going to take the lead role in a movie about how OJ didn’t do it, you’ve got to be kidding me.'” ; Wilson seen in 2008’s Marley & Me
Simpson was acquitted in the 1994-1995 criminal murder trial for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, but found liable in a 1997 civil trial; DO and Nicole in 1993
The final scenes of The Juice feature English actress Charlotte Kirk as Nicole and German actor Boris Kodjoe as the late NFL star turned acquitted murderer; Kirk in 2023
Sarah Paulson played lead prosecutor Marcia Clark in the award-winning series The People Vs OJ Simpson.
The trial also received extensive coverage in the 2016 eight-hour ESPN documentary series OJ: Made in America, which shed light on various aspects of the case and its cultural significance.
The series would win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 89th Academy Awards.
Simpson’s family announced in a tweet that he “succumbed to his battle with cancer” on April 10 while “surrounded by his children and grandchildren.”
Ronald Goldman’s father, Fred Goldman, who has advocated tirelessly for justice in the decades since his son’s murder, told DailyMail.com that Simpson’s death marked “yet another reminder” of Ronald Goldman’s untimely passing.
“It’s one more reminder of my son’s murder and the many years we’ve missed Ron,” she said. ‘Her killing him is a reminder that Ron and Nicole were killed by him. I’m not going to react to my thoughts about his death.
Fred concluded by saying, “I have nothing to say about him.” My answer will not be about OJ’s death but about the loss of my son’s life because of him. Thanks for calling. That’s all I have to say.’
Simpson, once a celebrated football running back with 11 seasons primarily with the Buffalo Bills, transitioned into acting before the tragic murders of Brown and Goldman.
Simpson (pictured at his 1995 trial) became one of America’s most infamous figures after being accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994.
The acquittal, despite the wealth of evidence and the apparent lack of other credible suspects, remains a topic of intense debate and scrutiny.
Sarah Paulson played lead prosecutor Marcia Clark in the award-winning series The People Vs OJ Simpson.
Although he was acquitted of the crimes, his reputation suffered irreparable damage and the latter part of his career was tarnished by questionable ventures.
Following his acquittal, Simpson was found civilly liable for the murders, resulting in a payment of $33.5 million to the victims’ families.
His legal problems persisted, leading to a sentence of up to 33 years for armed robbery in Nevada in 2008.
News of his death comes two months after reports emerged about his battle with prostate cancer and chemotherapy treatment.