David O. Russell Adds ‘Cocaine Cowboys’ To His Crowded Plate
It’s a pretty great time to be in whenDavid O. Russellis as talked-about a director as any in Hollywood. That certainly wasn’t the case in years past, or when it was, the subject was the director’s temperament rather than his work. But since takingThe Fighterhe’s been looking at many new projects — at times quickly flipping from one to the next — almost as if he’s trying to weave and juke his way to a surprise ‘next film’ announcement.
Now there is word that the long-gestating filmCocaine Cowboysis his latest possible next project.
The Playlistspoke to the director briefly at the ACE Eddie Awards over the past weekend, and when asked about what he’s making next. Mr. Russell said,
Mark Wahlberghas been attached toCocaine Cowboysfor some time. The film began life as a 2006 documentary byBilly Corbenabout ’70s drug dealer Jon Roberts who linked up with a drug cartel in Miami. Their influence pushed the rise of cocaine and aided a wave of crime that hit Miami from the late ’70s to the mid ’80s. Peter Berg and Leonardo DiCaprio were once attached to a dramatic remake, but Mark Wahlberg seems to be the only talent left standing. Or was — likely it is his influence that has pulled in David O. Russell.
So let’s make a quick list of films on his plate:Unchartedstill has priority, but isn’t firmly set at this point. There isThe Silver Linings Playbook;Two Gunswith Vince Vaughn;Cocaine Cowboys;Old St. Louiswith Vince Vaughn (which is still a possibility, though likely not now); a hard-RDirty Harry-like cop film with Ice Cube; and in the realm of lesser possibility,Sammy Hill, written byNailedwriter and Vice Presidential daughter Kristin Gore, andUnder Cover, once set for Jim Carrey to star. There are others, too, likeThe Gracklewritten by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, which fell by the wayside when the chance arose to make The Fighter.
At this point it seems early to call with any real certainty the film that will be David O. Russell’s next. He’s up for a Best Director Oscar on Sunday, and while it seems like an outside chance (at best) that he’ll win, if he does things could change really fast. With Mark Wahlberg’s involvement,Cocaine Cowboysdoes seem like a good fallback option after Uncharted. Hopefully all those other films will find some other life after Russell, too.
