Remember when Mark Wahlberg used to be David O. Russell's muse? The two were practically inseparable for awhile, and then it all just went *poof* after The Fighter. It looked like Bradley Cooper had stepped in to fill the friendship void after Silver Linings Playbook and the upcoming Abscam drama formerly known as American Bullshit, but it turns out Russell's real fave right now is Jennifer Lawrence.
Russell has come aboard to direct The Ends of the Earth, which Lawrence became attached to last summer. This would make three films in a row for the duo, assuming it's next on Russell's list. The Weinstein Company is backing this one, and they'll certainly want it to be Russell's follow-up to Abscam. The story's an intriguing one, too, chronicling the life of American socialite Lydie Marland. Written by Argo scribe, Chris Terrio, the film tells how Lydie was adopted by her wealthy uncle, Ernest Marland and his wife Virginia. When Virginia passed away, the 54 year-old Ernest annulled the adoption to Lydie, then married her, leading to all sorts of scandal. Ernest would eventually lose his fortune, bounce back to have a brief but successful political career, then pass away in 1941 with Lydie becoming a recluse in her final years.
Russell and Lawrence together again? Sign me up. I still think she's the frontrunner to win Best Actress, and he's got an outside shot at Best Director this weekend. [THR]
