Why Owen Wilson Declined a $12 Million Offer to Act in a Film Speculating on O.J. Simpson's Innocence

Owen Wilson Turned Down 12 Million to Star in a Movie Supporting OJ Simpsons Innocence

Owen Wilson, O.J. Simpson Tommaso Boddi;Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images(2)

Owen Wilson declined a big offer to star in a movie about O.J. Simpson's possible innocence. Director Joshua Newton, who has been working on a satirical film about Simpson called The Juice, revealed that Wilson, 55, was asked to portray real-life attorney Douglas McCann. McCann got caught up in conspiracy theories about Simpson during the 1995 murder trial.

"Newton told The Hollywood Reporter in a story published on April 24 that Owen Wilson was the perfect fit for the role. They had a meeting in Santa Monica where everyone loved the script. His agent was on board and we offered him $12 million."

"Despite the offer, Wilson made his intentions crystal clear."

Newton shared, "At the end of the lunch, Owen stood up and expressed, ‘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.’"

With Wilson no longer in consideration, Newton mentioned that he has found another actor who is perfect for the role. However, he decided not to reveal the actor's name at this time.

The role of McCann has been filled by an actor, joining Boris Kodjoe from Station 19 as Simpson and Charlotte Kirk as his ex-wife Nicole Brown.

According to Newton, around 30 minutes of the movie has already been finished. A teaser featuring a snippet of this footage was released on Tuesday, April 23.

In the clip, Kodjoe is shown strapped to an electric chair, with sparks flying around his head and smoke coming out of his mouth.

Kodjoe, while stuttering, mentions, "Think of the real O.J., not this lost person."

The movie, originally named Nicole & O.J., has been in the works for a long time. In 2018, People magazine shared the first-look pictures of Kodjoe and Kirk portraying Simpson and Brown. The teaser wraps up with a title card that says: "Feeling better now? Just wait, there's more to come."

Producer Stephen Small described Boris as being the same height as O.J., very tall, and having a strong athletic presence. He mentioned how Boris transformed himself for the role, changing his voice and sounding amazing.

Newton's goal is to complete the movie by the end of this year, with plans for a release date in 2025.

Simpson passed away on April 10 after battling prostate cancer at the age of 76.

In October 1995, Simpson was found not guilty of the murders of Brown and Goldman. However, a civil lawsuit brought by the families later held Simpson responsible. He was instructed to pay $33.5 million to the families, but most of this remained unpaid at the time of his passing.

Editor's P/S:

Owen Wilson's refusal to star in a film about O.J. Simpson's potential innocence highlights the enduring controversy surrounding the infamous murder case. Wilson's rejection of the role reflects the public's skepticism towards attempts to exonerate Simpson, whose guilt remains a matter of debate. The film's satirical approach, however, suggests that the filmmakers aim to explore the complexities of the case and the enduring fascination it holds.

Despite Wilson's withdrawal, the film is moving forward with Boris Kodjoe portraying Simpson. The release of a teaser featuring Kodjoe in an electric chair adds an element of drama and intrigue to the production. The film's title, "Feeling Better Now? Just Wait, There's More to Come," hints at the filmmakers' intention to delve deeper into the case and its aftermath, promising further revelations and insights.