Director David O. Russell hasn’t even found a new title for his next project, the formerly named American Bullshit, yet, and already he’s hashing out what he’s going to be working on next. According to THR, Russell is all set to make his third film in a row that will feature actress Jennifer Lawrence, as he’s committed to directing a new drama that she’s attached to star in called The Ends of the Earth. This, of course, will follow Lawrence’s Oscar-nominated turn in Russell’s The Silver Linings Playbook, and the small role she recently took in the former American Bullshit.
Lawrence was rumored for the role back in August.
There aren’t very many exact plot details yet available for The Ends of the Earth, but the trade describes it as being “a fact-based love story about a powerful oil tycoon who has everything stripped from him after he is caught in an affair.” So, presumably, Russell is eventually going to have to find a male lead to play the dastardly adulterer. Might he go all the way and make this the third film in a row where he works with both Lawrence and Bradley Cooper?
Okay, that’s probably jumping the gun. For now Russell and company just seem happy to have Lawrence locked down. In the report of Russell’s hiring he’s quoted as calling her, “the most dedicated person I know,” and he goes on to say that, “her acting is effortless and she always makes it look easy.” Producers Todd Black and Steve Tisch took the praise a step further and were credited with the quote, “Her performance in Silver Linings was transcendent and was truly the heart and soul of the film. Jennifer was basically asked to play four personalities—depressed, sexy, romantic and a wild dancer—and did them all brilliantly. After seeing that performance, we knew we had our anchor for Ends of the Earth. Her dedication to the craft and all those who work with her is inspiring—and if she is the future of our business, we are certainly in good hands.”
As flowery as all that praise is, you have to admit, it’s kind of hard to deny. One has to wonder if Russell is going to be able to make a movie without Lawrence on set ever again. If he ends up hogging her too much though, he might find himself the subject of some nasty threats delivered by other Hollywood interests. After all, there is a Hunger Games trilogy to complete.