Hang on to that tux David O. Russell, and starting looking for another dress Jennifer Lawrence, because if things go according to plan, you’ll both be back at the Dolby Theater for the Oscars next February.
Sony has set a December 13th limited release date, followed by a Christmas Day wide expansion for O. Russell’s upcoming Abscam movie, formerly titled “American Bullshit.” And frankly, who can blame them? Just look at this cast: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams, Louis C.K. and Jennifer Lawrence (with Alessandro Nivola joining today). And the based-on-a-true-story tale sounds like a great big screen story. Penned by Eric Singer, the film will tell the true story of a famed financial con artist (Bale) and his mistress/partner in crime (Adams) who were forced to work with an out of control federal agent (Cooper) to turn the tables on other con artists, mobsters and politicians. At the epicenter of the entire tale is the passionate and volatile leader of the New Jersey state assembly (Renner), who is also the local hero and mayor of impoverished Camden. Lawrence will play Bale’s wife, with Nivola as Reggio, a federal prosecutor.
The Christmas Day release date is a massive vote of confidence from Sony, who have no fear opening this movie against “47 Ronin,” “Jack Ryan” and “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty.” As always, this early in the calendar, some of those releases may move up or get out of the way, but it looks like the studio are banking on Russell providing another box office hit and possible awards contender.