Actor Paul Walter Hauser talked to Business Insider about landing the lead role in Clint Eastwood's "Richard Jewell."The actor talked about how he researched for the part.
Hauser also said improv was done for numerous scenes, especially a big dramatic scene that was falling flat the way it was written in the script.In the casting of the lead for "Richard Jewell" — the character of the security guard who saved thousands when he discovered a bomb at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, only to become a suspect days later — director Clint Eastwood put his faith in a character actor named Paul Walter Hauser.
With over 40 credits to his name, most of them guest spots on TV shows, Hauser gained wide notice in 2017 playing Shawn Eckardt in "I, Tonya." He stole every scene he was in playing the bumbling bodyguard of disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding, who took part in the attack on Harding's rival, Nancy Kerrigan.
But playing Richard Jewell is a life-changing moment for the actor. His biggest role to date is also smack dab in the middle of the award season. And Hauser should receive accolades, as his performance — mixed with emotion, humor, and frustration — is the lifeblood of the movie. Business Insider talked with Hauser about getting the role , the research he did to play Jewell, and how improv with Sam Rockwell on set led to an explosive scene.It sounds like you're in Thailand with Spike Lee making "Da 5 Bloods" and you get the call that Eastwood wants you for "Richard Jewell.