Veteran actor Kathy Bates has joined the cast of filmmaker Clint Eastwood's upcoming drama, The Ballad of Richard Jewell. The film revolves around a real-life security guard, Richard Jewell, whose world turned upside down after someone from law enforcement wrongly leaked to media that he was a possible suspect for the pipe-bombing at Centennial Park during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Jewell went from being a hero, who discovered the suspicious abandoned backpack and saved hundreds of lives, to one of the most hated men in the US. While Bates will portray Bobi Jewell, Richard's mother who was an insurance claims adjuster, the casting of the titular character is still not finalised. 

Meanwhile, Oscar winner Sam Rockwell plays the role of a defense attorney who defends Jewell after he is wrongly accused. Billy Ray is writing the script, which is adapted from a Marie Brenner article in Vanity Fair.

Previously, actors Jonah Hill and DiCaprio were attached to star in the project, but they will now be only producing it.

Apart from directing, Eastwood is also producing the project through his Malpaso production banner.