David O. Russell is not taking any chances. The director, who hasn’t made a film since 2015’s Joy, is back with a mysterious new project—and it is going to be a hit, dammit. How can he make sure of that? By casting every star he could possibly find, from Robert De Niro to Christian Bale to Margot Robbie. Oh, and Chris Rock, Rami Malek, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Plus Zoe Saldana, John David Washington, Mike Myers, and Timothy Olyphant. Sprinkle in Andrea Riseborough, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Alessandro Nivola, and boom, you’ve got the talented cast of the next untitled Russell project, according to Deadline. A star for every audience quadrant!
Who is not in this movie? Plenty of people, sure—but the most notable absence seems to be Jennifer Lawrence, who made a name for herself in part by starring back-to-back in Russell’s last three films: Silver Linings Playbook (which earned her an Oscar), American Hustle (which got her an Oscar nomination), and Joy (which got her another nod). But she’s currently filming Don't Look Up with Adam McKay.
It seems like the Oscar winner could have once been in the picture for this mysterious film, though. Back in 2019, the duo did a talk at the Tribeca Film Festival, where Russell told the actor, “I’m writing something for you now.” Hm! Never fear, Lawrence-and-Russell hive (Lussell? Rawrence?): Your faves will probably work together again one day.
Per Deadline, the plot of Russell’s untitled upcoming movie is still unknown, but it is based on an original concept by the Oscar-nominated writer-director. The film (working title: Household Names) (just kidding) (but…it does work…) is currently in production in California, presumably shooting under strict COVID-19 guidelines.
Russell kicked the last decade off with a critically acclaimed hot streak, starting with the Oscar-winning 2010 drama The Fighter, starring Bale, Amy Adams, and Mark Wahlberg. He then moved on to his Lawrence triptych, picking up five Oscar nominations along the way. Household Names (see?? It works!) is backed by New Regency and will be distributed by 20th Century Studios. (RIP, Fox. Godspeed to whomever is in charge of this megawatt film’s complex billing order, a gorgeously petty Hollywood tradition.
— Inside Bridgerton’s Sexy, Modern Makeover of the Regency Period Drama
— Borat’s Maria Bakalova Had a Sweet Reunion With Jeanise Jones
— Tina Fey and Robert Carlock Wrestle Clumsily With Politics in Mr. Mayor
— Blazing Blonde Bombshell: Barbara Payton’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams
— Bryan Cranston Dances With the Devil in Your Honor
— Meet Bridgerton’s Dreamboat Duke, Regé-Jean Page
— Stephen Colbert Answers the Proust Questionnaire
— From the Archive: San Simeon’s Child
— Not a subscriber? Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now.
.jpg)
