Mike Fleming

David O Russell Christian Bale The FighterUPDATE, 5 PM: David O Russell has clarified his relationship with American Bullshit. Sounds like it’s not totally bullshit, but it’s not real, either. But it also sounds like if it does happen, his Oscar-winning The Fighter star Christian Bale would be in the middle of it. Here goes: “Reports that I am attached to American Bullshit are premature. It is something I am in early discussions on and I have great respect for Chuck Roven and Christian Bale. I am also developing other projects and have not chosen my next film.” 

EARLIER, 2:22 PM: Is David O Russell engaged in American Bullshit? That was the question I asked of Russell’s CAA reps and his publicist Cynthia Swartz yesterday, and I was told there was nothing going on with Russell and this Eric Singer-scripted fact-based drama with global implications at Sony Pictures. Word is going around that Russell has gotten as far as talking with Christian Bale about the starring role. But his reps say nothing is going on.

Now, I’m reading stereo trade reports and wondering. Now, Russell seems to have as many attachments as a vacuum cleaner since all the accolades he received for The Fighter so who knows how many of these development deals lead to movies. But I’ll be watching to see whether I was the one being handed the bullshit. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve trusted and been rewarded with a hot steaming dukey.