After scoring big during the 2010 awards season with "The Fighter," David O'Russell has returned this year with "The Silver Linings Playbook," which has generated some early buzz for this year's campaign. However, he's already got his sights set on his next project, a currently untitled film that has recently added Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, and Amy Adams to its cast.
The production issued a press release yesterday confirming the casting news. Bale had been previously attached, but some reports had indicated that Renner would be replacing them in the film. Instead, they'll be acting alongside each other for the first time.
This will also mark the first time that Renner will collaborate with O'Russell, while the rest of the announced cast will be returning to work with the director again.
The film, which O'Russell wrote with Eric Warren Singer ("The International"), is inspired by the true story of a con-artist (Bale) and his mistress/partner in crime (Adams) who ended up aiding a federal investigation against other mobsters and criminals. Cooper will be playing the "out of control federal agent" that the two will collaborate with on the case.
Meanwhile, Renner will play "the passionate and volatile leader of the New Jersey state assembly who is also the local hero and mayor of impoverished Camden."
Producer Charles Roven touts the cast as "an incredible ensemble of actors for what is going to be a powerful and emotional drama about one of the most memorable cast of characters in recent history." It's difficult to argue with him--between Adams, Renner, and Bale, the cast can boast five Oscar nominations and one win (with Bale's win and one of Adams's nominations coming for "The Fighter").
Production on the film will begin in February, and a release date is tentatively set for late 2013.
