After the enormous success of 2010′s The Fighter, David O. Russell has had quite a few options thrown his way for his next job. He was all set to direct a film adaptation of the video game Uncharted, but ended up backing out due to creative differences, and he was also up for directing the Angelina Jolie Disney film Maleficent, but Robert Stromberg ended up scoring that gig. Now, Russell is attached to direct American Bullshit, the fascinating true story of an FBI sting in the 1980s the revealed Congressional corruption and led by the world's best con man. More after the jump.
The script is written by Eric Warren Singer, who has only written one feature before: the Clive-Owen starrer The International. While that movie didn't connect with audiences, I have a feeling this one might; the true story con man angle conjures memories of Catch Me If You Can, and if Russell can direct something half as good as Spielberg's caper flick, American Bullshit should be pretty damn solid. The Hollywood Reporter has the story, and they go out of their way to point out that Russell is only attached at this point, pointing to the casting of the lead actors as the kick in the pants this project really needs to get off the ground.
Deadline, however, has heard that Russell spoke with Christian Bale at one point about starring but they say the director is NOT involved with the film. Regardless of who you believe here, it sounds like a cool project. Ben Affleck was attached to direct at one point, and since the script made it onto the 2010 Black List, I'm sure we'll see one director or another behind the cameras on this one soon.
