David O. Russell's unrealized projects

The following is a list of unproduced David O. Russell projects in roughly chronological order. During his career, film director David O. Russell has worked on a number of projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these productions fell in development hell or were cancelled.[1]

1990s[edit]

Untitled Industrial Revolution epic[edit]

In the mid-'90s, prior to Three Kings, Russell had researched and planned a film epic set during the Industrial Revolution. He spoke of the project in 2011, during an interview conducted by Spike Jonze:

"Weirdly, I was researching a movie that turned out to be a lot like There Will Be Blood. I was researching [a story] about a father and a son that at the beginning of the oil thing, in the Oklahoma oil fields. I went to Princeton University and I met the history department and I was going to do this whole thing about the 20th century and what industrialization meant."

Ultimately, Russell scrapped the idea because he thought it would be "arrogant" to try to make a judgment about the 20th century.[2]

Untitled Jason Schwartzman film[edit]

Speaking on an episode of Marc Maron's podcast, actor Jason Schwartzman revealed that after he had finished Rushmore in 1998, he was pitched a project by Russell. The film was to have been an ensemble piece, including original songs that were written by Schwartzman. According to the actor, the film had even entered the late stages of pre-production: "There was a cast, a crew, a script and I was prepared to do it and we were talking about it and having these meetings and a few weeks before we started it he called me on the phone and he said, I'm going to pause this movie because it just doesn't feel right and I don't wanna do something unless it feels right, I promised myself I wouldn't do that."[3]

2000s[edit]

Benny Hernandez[edit]

In 2000, Russell intended to direct a documentary on the boxer/actor Benny Hernandez.[4]

Temple Grandin[edit]

Main article: Temple Grandin (film)

In 2002, Russell was attached to direct the Temple Grandin biopic for HBO, but was later replaced by Mick Jackson.[5]

Jeff Baena collaborations[edit]

Russell collaborated on a total of four scripts together with Jeff Baena, only one of which was produced into a feature film.[6]

The H Man Cometh[edit]

In 2006, Russell was in pre-production with Vince Vaughn on a film titled The H-Man Cometh, about a sarcastic radio call-in show host who takes on the qualities of his neurotic patrons. Elizabeth Banks was also attached to the project, later saying that, "Yeah, there was a David O. Russell movie that I really wanted to make with Vince Vaughn that ended up falling apart. I mean, I don’t get depressed, it’s just the nature of the game."[7][8] Russell rewrote the screenplay, based on a draft done by David Cohen and Tony Lord.[9]

Nailed / Accidental Love[edit]

Main article: Accidental Love § Production

The Grackle[edit]

In November 2008, Russell was in talks with New Line Cinema to direct Mike Arnold and Chris Poole's raucous comedy script of The Grackle. Matthew McConaughey was attached to star as a New Orleans barroom fighter who hires himself out for $250 to settle disputes for people who can't afford to hire a lawyer.[10][11]

Aaron and Sarah[edit]

In April 2009, Russell signed with Fox 2000 to helm Aaron and Sarah, retitled from B.F.F., a romantic comedy described as John Hughes-esque. The film would have focused on a geek and a popular girl who meet as Freshman and fall in love over their four years together at high school. Chad Gomez Creasey and Dara Resnik Creasey wrote the screenplay.[12][13]

2010s[edit]

Old St. Louis[edit]

In July 2010, it was reported that Russell had scripted a film titled Old St. Louis about a traveling salesman whose life changes when his daughter becomes part of his life. Vince Vaughn was in talks to produce and star in the film.[14] Chloë Grace Moretz was set to play the daughter, with Scarlett Johansson appearing as the love interest.[15]

Under Cover[edit]

In September 2010, it was announced that Summit Entertainment was considering Russell to direct Jim Carrey in Under Cover, a comedy about a family man who joins a cover band.[16]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies[edit]

In October 2010, Vulture.com reported that Russell had dropped out of directing his adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith's horror-comedy-parody Pride and Prejudice and Zombies because star/producer Natalie Portman couldn't meet his intended start date.[17] A separate film adaptation was later released in 2016, but Russell had no involvement.

Untitled cop franchise[edit]

In November 2010, it was reported that Ice Cube and Russell were in talks with New Line Cinema to create a potential yet-titled cop drama said to be in the vein of films like Dirty Harry and Death Wish.[18]

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune[edit]

On November 24, 2010, an interview with Mark Wahlberg was published by MTV with the actor stating that Russell was currently writing the adaptation of the video game franchise Uncharted and was excited for what he had in store. "I'm obviously in whatever David wants to do but the idea of it is so off the charts: Robert De Niro being my father, Joe Pesci being my uncle. It's not going to be the watered-down version, that's for sure."[19] On May 26, 2011, it was reported that Russell had departed the film to direct Silver Linings Playbook.[20]

2 Guns[edit]

Main article: 2 Guns

In January 2011, Russell was in talks to rewrite and direct Blake Masters' adaptation of 2 Guns with Vince Vaughn attached to star.[21] A film was released in 2013, but without the involvement of Russell or Vaughn.

Cocaine Cowboys[edit]

In February 2011, Russell revealed that, in addition to simultaneously working on Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Silver Linings Playbook and 2 Guns, he was considering directing a narrative film of the 2006 documentary Cocaine Cowboys, with Mark Wahlberg.[22]

Untitled Russ Meyer biopic[edit]

In March 2011, Russell was in negotiations with Fox Searchlight to direct a feature biopic of the Sexploitation film director Russ Meyer.[23]

Maleficent[edit]

Main article: Maleficent (film)

In June 2011, as claimed by The Hollywood Reporter, Russell was one of the directors interested in taking over for Tim Burton on the production of Disney's Maleficent after his departure.[24]

The Mission[edit]

That same month, Russell spoke of a project he was working on with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura called Mission. "It's very cool," Russell told THR, "It's sort of an action-drama."[25] The film was set up the following month at Warner Bros. as a starring vehicle for Brad Pitt.[26]

Untitled Buddy Cianci biopic[edit]

It was officially confirmed by the Los Angeles Times in April 2012 that Russell would be directing a biopic of former Providence mayor Buddy Cianci after an arrangement with producer Jane Rosenthal. Based Cianci's biography Politics and Pasta, Russell was confirmed to not be writing the script for the film.[27]

Untitled legal drama series[edit]

In August 2012, Russell was in negotiations with CBS to direct a legal drama written by Danny Strong inspired by a real-life New York father/daughter defense attorney team.[28]

American Sniper[edit]

Main article: American Sniper

In September 2012, Russell revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he was in talks with Bradley Cooper to direct American Sniper.[29]

The Bends[edit]

Russell also mentioned a project he scripted titled The Bends, which would have been "a kind of cousin to Vertigo."[29]

The Ends of the Earth[edit]

In February 2013, it was announced that Russell would be reunited with Jennifer Lawrence for The Ends of the Earth, a fact-based love story about a powerful oil tycoon who has everything stripped from him after he is caught in an affair. The script was written by Chris Terrio and was set to be produced by Todd Black, Steve Tisch and Jason Blumenthal of Escape Artists.[30]

Legacy of Secrecy[edit]

In May 2013, Russell agreed to write and direct an adaptation of the JFK conspiracy thriller Legacy of Secrecy, based on the book by Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartmann. Leonardo DiCaprio was set to star as FBI informant Jack Van Lavinham and Robert De Niro was also attached to play mafia boss Carlos Marcello.[31]

Untitled genre scripts[edit]

During a 2013 directors roundtable discussion for THR, Russell revealed he had written a horror film script that Eli Roth was interested in directing as well as a supernatural time travel script.[32]

Members Only[edit]

Main article: Members Only (TV series)

On January 22, 2014, ABC had given a straight-to-series 13-episode order to a drama series from Russell and Susannah Grant.[33][34][35] The script for the pilot episode was written by Grant. Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly also signed on as executive producers of show. First pitched as an FX series from Russell and writer Josh Lieb in 2006,[36] the show was described as an upstairs-downstairs soap opera set at a private country club.[37] On February 26, 2014, Russell departed the series as executive producer, saying "I'm not really transitioning right now to TV projects."[38][39] Members Only, originally titled The Club, was canceled by ABC before its premiere.[40]

Jennifer Lawrence projects[edit]

During a 2015 directors roundtable discussion for THR, Russell revealed that prior to their collaboration on Joy, he had written "about 600 pages" of an epic 2-part family opus for Jennifer Lawrence, which he still hoped to make with the actress.[41]

Later that month, Lawrence teased a new film that Russell was developing in which she would play the mother of Robert De Niro's character.[42]

Speaking on a 2018 episode of WTF With Marc Maron, Lawrence announced she would star in a new project by Russell to film in the fall of that year.[43]

In 2019, at a Tribeca retrospective of their work together, Russell told Lawrence "I'm writing something for you now." No further details were disclosed.[44]

Untitled publishing documentary[edit]

In the same THR discussion, Russell also revealed that he was then working on a documentary about the world of novel publishing, inspired from how his parents met from working at Simon & Schuster.[41]

Untitled Mafia drama series[edit]

In August 2016, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Russell was prepping a limited series set to star Robert De Niro and Julianne Moore.[45] Later, in November, Amazon acquired the property, granting a two-season order — eight episodes each — for the mafia drama, with each installment to have been written and directed by Russell.[46] In June 2017, Michael Shannon was cast to star alongside De Niro and Moore.[47] That October, Amazon scrapped the series due to its involvement with The Weinstein Company.[48]

Father Stu[edit]

Main article: Father Stu

In September 2016, Mark Wahlberg revealed that he and Russell were both at work on a screenplay about athlete-turned-priest Father Stuart Long.[49] Revealed to be titled Father Stu, Russell would later leave the project as director, with newcomer Rosalind Ross boarding to write and direct for Wahlberg.

Boy21[edit]

On July 18, 2017, Russell signed on as producer for an adaptation of the basketball drama Boy21.[50]

2020s[edit]

Untitled John D. Rockefeller biopic[edit]

In 2020, there was talk of Russell pursuing a biopic written by Charles Randolph of the oil business magnate John D. Rockefeller with oft-collaborator Robert De Niro portraying Rockefeller.[51]

FIFA pilot episode[edit]

In 2022, O. Russell was set to direct the pilot for a Paramount+ limited series titled FIFA, set in the world of pro-soccer. Paramount also had a first-op deal with Russell to direct two other projects in addition to FIFA.[52]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Thompson, Richard (October 16, 2023). "David O. Russell Almost Directed These Movies. Here's Why He Didn't". MovieWeb. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (January 21, 2011). "David O. Russell Almost Made A 'There Will Be Blood'-Like Film About The Industrial Revolution". IndieWire. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Davis, Edward (April 6, 2015). "Jason Schwartzman Says He Almost Starred In Another David O. Russell Film That Was Canceled Last Minute". ThePlaylist.net. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Graser, Mark (July 24, 2000). "AntEye inks Russell's 'Hernandez'". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Grego, Melissa (March 12, 2002). "Animal magnetism at HBO". Variety.
  6. ^ "How A Freak Eye Injury Became A Career Turning Point For The Director Of "Joshy"". Fast Company. February 3, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Perez, Rodrigo (March 30, 2009). "A Look At David O. Russell, Whatever Happened To 'H-Man Cometh'? 'Nailed' In 2009?". theplaylist.net. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Galloway, Stephen (February 10, 2011). "The Redemption of David O. Russell". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  9. ^ "Vince Vaughn signs onto to new Universal comedy". Movie Web. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. ^ Fleming, Michael (November 12, 2008). "David O. Russell to tackle 'Grackle'". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Sancton, Julian (November 13, 2008). "CAN DAVID O. RUSSELL HANDLE THE GRACKLE?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Dang, Simon (April 9, 2009). "David O. Russell Signs On For RomCom 'Aaron And Sarah'". theplaylist.net. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  13. ^ Reynolds, Simon (April 9, 2009). "David O. Russell helming 'Aaron And Sarah'". digitalspy.com. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  14. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 29, 2010). "Vince Vaughn, David O Russell Talking 'Old St. Louis'". deadline.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  15. ^ Orange, B. Alan (August 5, 2010). "Scarlett Johansson Joins Old St. Louis". movieweb.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  16. ^ Flores, Ramses (September 22, 2010). "David O. Russell May Go UNDER COVER with Jim Carrey". Collider. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  17. ^ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (October 5, 2010). "David O. Russell Quits Pride and Prejudice and Zombies". Vulture.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  18. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 4, 2010). "Ice Cube & David O. Russell Launching Dirty Harry-esque Franchise". deadline.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  19. ^ Totilo, Stephen (November 24, 2010). "Mark Wahlberg Will Be Nathan Drake, DeNiro Could Be Drake's Dad". Kotaku.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  20. ^ Sneider, Jeff (May 26, 2011). "David O. Russell ankles 'Uncharted'". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  21. ^ Ames, Jeff (January 12, 2011). "David O. Russell in Talks to Rewrite and Direct 2 GUNS Starring Vince Vaughn". Collider. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  22. ^ Fischer, Russ (February 22, 2011). "David O. Russell Adds 'Cocaine Cowboys' To His Crowded Plate". /Film.
  23. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 17, 2011). "Fox Searchlight Negotiating Deal For David O. Russell To Direct Russ Meyer Story". Deadline Hollywood.
  24. ^ "David O. Russell Circling Disney's 'Maleficent'". The Hollywood Reporter. June 14, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  25. ^ Szalai, Georg (June 14, 2011). "'Uncharted': Why David O. Russell Left Columbia's Video Game Adaptation". The Hollywood Reporter.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 29, 2011). "Warner Bros Mobilizing Colombia Hostage Drama 'The Mission,' Courting David O Russell And Brad Pitt". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  27. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (April 6, 2012). "David O. Russell's latest turn: New England city politics". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  28. ^ Willmore, Alison (August 16, 2012). "David O. Russell Will Direct a Father-Daughter Legal Drama for CBS Written by Danny Strong of 'Game Change'". indiewire.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  29. ^ a b Galloway, Stephen (September 5, 2012). "David O. Russell Wanted to Direct Bradley Cooper in 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  30. ^ Belloni, Matthew (February 19, 2013). "David O. Russell to Direct Jennifer Lawrence in 'The Ends of the Earth' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  31. ^ Lyttelton, Oliver (May 17, 2013). "David O. Russell To Direct JFK Conspiracy Movie 'Legacy Of Secrecy' For Leonardo DiCaprio". indiewire.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  32. ^ Davis, Edward (November 15, 2013). "David O. Russell Reveals He Wrote A Horror Movie That Eli Roth Might Direct". indiewire.com. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  33. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 22, 2014). "Soapy Drama From David O. Russell & Susannah Grant Gets ABC Series Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  34. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (January 22, 2014). "ABC Gives Series Order to Drama From David O. Russell and Susannah Grant". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  35. ^ Snetiker, Marc (January 22, 2014). "ABC orders drama from David O. Russell". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  36. ^ Green, Willow (September 9, 2006). "David O Russell Planning TV series". Empire. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  37. ^ Kubicek, John (May 13, 2014). "ABC's 2014-2015 Schedule: Three-Hour Shonda Rhimes Block on Thursdays". BuddyTV. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  38. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 26, 2014). "David O. Russell Exits ABC Drama Project, Which Continues As Series, Casts 1st Actor". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  39. ^ O'Connell, Michael (February 26, 2014). "David O. Russell Drops Out of ABC Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  40. ^ Lesley Goldberg (23 November 2014). "ABC's 'Members Only' Not Moving Forward (Exclusive) - Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  41. ^ a b Jagernauth, Kevin (December 11, 2015). "David O. Russell Says He's Making A Documentary About The World Of Publishing, Wrote 600-Page Opus For Jennifer Lawrence". IndieWire. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  42. ^ Pulver, Andrew (December 16, 2015). "Jennifer Lawrence to 'play Robert De Niro's mother'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  43. ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (February 26, 2018). "Jennifer Lawrence Talks New Movie With David O. Russell & Turning Off 'Phantom Thread'". The Playlist. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  44. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 27, 2019). "Jennifer Lawrence & David O. Russell On Their Canon, Director Writing New Project For 'Silver Linings' Oscar Winner – Tribeca". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  45. ^ Goldberg, Leslie (August 8, 2016). "Robert De Niro, Julianne Moore to Star in David O. Russell TV Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  46. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (November 7, 2016). "Robert De Niro, Julianne Moore Drama From David O. Russell Lands at Amazon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  47. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 20, 2017). "Michael Shannon Joins David O. Russell's Drama Series at Amazon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  48. ^ Schneider, Michael (October 13, 2017). "Amazon Scraps Expensive David O. Russell Drama In Light of Weinstein Scandal". IndieWire.
  49. ^ Nordine, Michael (September 21, 2016). "Mark Wahlberg and David O. Russell Working on Biopic About Father Stuart Long". IndieWire.
  50. ^ "David O. Russell In Talks To Produce 'Boy21' At Lionsgate, Screenwriter Hired".
  51. ^ Barfield, Charles (January 17, 2020). "Robert De Niro Reportedly Will Star As John D. Rockefeller In A New Film Directed By David O. Russell". ThePlaylist.net. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  52. ^ Sneider, Jeff (October 7, 2022). "David O. Russell to Direct Pilot for FIFA Limited Series in the Works at Paramount+". Above the Line. Retrieved August 26, 2023.

External links[edit]

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