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Hollywood is already trying to capitalize on the death of widely assumed murderer O.J. Simpson, as reports indicate that a film that paints him as innocent is in the works.
The film, titled The Juice, has already begun production and is being directed by Joshua Newton. Newton has just three previous credits to his name: The Turning in 1996, Melody’s Her 2nd Name in 2000, and Beautiful Blue Eyes in 2009. He also made a short film titled Next Birthday in 1998.
Newton says he’s been working on the project since 2015. Simpson was released from prison in 2017 after serving nine years for robbery.
“Hey, Hollywood, anybody interested in a partially finished film about how O.J. Simpson might have been innocent? According to British director Joshua Newton, about 30 minutes of The Juice is in the can, mostly flashback scenes featuring Charolette Kirk and German-born actor Boris Kodjoe, currently on ABC’s Station 19, who plays the late NFL star turned acquitted murderer.”
“Owen Wilson was perfect for the role. I actually had a meeting with him in Santa Monica,” Newton said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Everybody loved the script. His agent wanted him to do it.
THR‘s report notes that beloved actor Owen Wilson was offered $12 million for the role but incredulously turned it down.
“We offered him $12 million,” Newton claimed. “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 O.J. didn’t do it, you’ve got to be kidding me.’ ”
Simpson passed away at the age of 76 years old on April 10.