UPDATE (7:25 a.m. ET): Producers of Empire say Jussie Smollett's role will be reduced significantly. (TMZ)
Jussie Smollett rehearsed his attack days before the alleged incident, sources tellTMZ.
AbelandOlaOsundairoreportedly told investigators that they drove around Chicago with the Empirestar to scout a location. The brothers said Jussie picked a spot near his apartment because he thought a security camera would captured the action. It did not, since the camera was pointed in the wrong direction.
According to sources, the brothers said the actor wanted the attack to be a "physical thing," but not to the point he'd be seriously hurt.
We also have a possible motive for why Jussie may have staged the attack. A week before the incident, a letter threatening the star was sent to the studio where Empireis filmed. A source tellsCBS Chicago, “When the letter didn’t get enough attention, he concocted the staged attack.”
Meanwhile, TMZ says a grand jury was set to hear testimony tomorrow (Tuesday) "targeting the actor, for allegedly filing a false police report." But there's a good chance it will be delayed a few days as police build a case for indictment.