George Clooney aside, it’s been a strong trend in David O. Russell‘s career to secure great performances from actors and then continue to bring them back for further projects. The director’s latest instance of such is with the Weinstein-backed romantic drama “The Ends of the Earth,” for which he’s reteaming with his “Silver Linings Playbook” actress Jennifer Lawrence, and now another previous collaborator is slated to come on board.
Penned by the newly Oscar-minted Chris Terrio (“Argo”) and based on a true story, Russell’s latest film follows Lydie Marland (to be played by Lawrence), the adopted daughter of ’20s oil tycoon Ernest Marland, to whom she is soon married after Ernest’s brother — Lydie’s real guardian — passes away. Obviously a tricky start to a complex plot — one that extends into the couple’s eventual love and political maneuvering — and Harvey Weinstein obviously sees Lawrence as paramount to making the material work.
We’re not complaining with his choice, but what about the initially cold and creepy role of Ernest? Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt are all names that have been thrown into the ring, but Russell apparently wants his “The Fighter” actor Christian Bale to slip into the role. Bale and Lawrence are already slated to act together (alongside Bradley Cooper) in Russell’s untitled Abscam drama written by Eric Singer, but whereas that tale of con artists and FBI agents seems more of the frenzied, lighthearted type, ‘Earth’ appears a proper dramatic challenge for all three main parties involved.
The Abscam film will go before cameras this month, so we’ll see how Bale, Lawrence, and Russell find the experience of collaborating before making “The Ends of the Earth,” which may well be the director’s next film. [Daily Mail]