Cuba Gooding Jr.and Sarah Paulson previously booked the lead roles of O.J. Simpson and prosecutor Marcia Clark in prolific award-winning producer Ryan Murphy’s follow-up to his hit "American Horror Story" franchise, to be titled "American Crime Story" – a companion anthology focused each season on a different true crime story, which made headlines.

Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411 is now reporting that producers want David Schwimmer to play Robert Kardashian, although he has yet to commit; and if he doesn’t, Tim Roth is apparently waiting anxiously in line to take the job.

But even more interesting is that Ryan Murphy reportedly wants Samuel L. Jackson to play Johnny Cochran, but Jackson hasn’t committed either.

Friedman also adds that Nicole Brown or Ronald Goldman will actually be absent from the film, because the story takes place after their murders (primarily the court trial that followed), and there will be no flashbacks.

And finally, the real O.J. Simpson is not involved in the series in any way, nor will he benefit financially from it.

The new franchise has been ordered by FX, also home to the "American Horror Story" series.

The 10-episode first season, "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," will be based on the book "The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson" by Jeffrey Toobin, which will provide audiences with a look at the O.J. Simpson trial told from the perspective of the lawyers that explored the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution confidence, defense wiliness, and the LAPD’s history with the city’s black community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt.

Murphy joins Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson ("The Hunger Games," "Diary of a Wimpy Kid") and Brad Falchuk ("Glee," "American Horror Story", co-created with Murphy) as Executive Producers of "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," alongside writers Alexander and Karaszewski. Dante Di Loreto also serves as an Executive Producer, with Murphy set to direct.

Production begins early next year in Los Angeles.