British film director Michael Winner is hoping his pal O.J. Simpson will star in his next movie.

The Death Wish hitmaker forged an unlikely friendship with the sportsman-turned-actor last year and now the pair is collaborating on a possible film role for Simpson.

The former American football player was sensationally acquitted of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994, and has since landed a variety of movie cameo roles.

But Winner insists he doesn’t let his friend’s troubled past affect their working relationship.

He jokes, "He’s a very nice man for a double murderer.

"He came to see me about a year ago, and I said to (his fiancee) Geraldine, ‘Answer the door, dear, and if he comes to the door with a knife throw yourself in front of me.’"