If you've never read the excellent book Rebels On The Backlot by Sharon Waxman, I highly recommend it. It's an excellent and insightful look into how several maverick directors from the 1990s like David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino took the Hollywood system by storm. One of the directors discussed in Waxman's work is Academy Award nominated director David O. Russell. Russell blazed onto the scene with 1994's indie hit SPANKING THE MONKEY and went on to box office and critical success with film like THREE KINGS, THE FIGHTER, and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK.
After delivering four movies in five years, the erstwhile director has been noticeably quiet over the last half decade. Some of that undoubtedly has to do with the controversy regarding reports about Russell's abrasive behavior on set. However, it also has a lot to do with David O. Russell typically being very picky about the projects he pursues. (He's only done eight films in twenty-six years.) However, it appears as if Russell's period of hibernation is over and he's poised to roar out of the cave with a new film.
Russell has written and will direct an untitled project that will reportedly star Christian Bale (FORD V FERRARI). Bale is currently in talks to join the cast in the lead role and if successful this will mark his third collaboration with Russell after THE FIGHTER and AMERICAN HUSTLE. The movie is being fast tracked at New Regency which falls under the umbrella of Fox/Disney. Several other prominent actors and actresses are rumored for the project as well, leading to speculation that past Russell collaborators Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper may be interested.
At this time there is zero information regarding the plot of Russell's upcoming film. In addition, no official start date has been announced either. Most recently, reports had Christian Bale circling Taika Waititi's upcoming Marvel movie THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER in an undisclosed role. Those talks are still ongoing, however it will be interesting to see if Bale's work on Waititi's film will conflict with Russell's. While it's perfectly possible Bale could end up doing both, my guess is that if he had to pick between the two, Bale would go with Russell's movie. Then again Christian Bale and I haven't met for lunch and champagne on his yacht for quite some time (as in never) so I couldn't say for certain.
So how does this news strike you guys? Are you excited at the prospect of another Christian Bale/David O. Russell reunion? Do you dig the flicks of David O. Russell? Sound off in the comments below!