Jeremy Renner In Talks To Replace Christian Bale In David O. Russell’s ‘American Bullsh*t’
When we last checked in onDavid O. Russell’s crime dramaAmerican Bullshit, it was looking like a double reunion for the director. His Oscar-winningThe FighteractorChristian Balewas rumored for one of the leads, whileSilver Linings PlaybookstarBradley Cooperwas in talks for the other.
Since then, however, Bale’s dropped out, and Russell’s now adding another fast-rising star to the roster. The ubiquitousJeremy Renneris reportedly negotiating to replace Bale as FBI agent Jimmy Boyle, who teams up with “the world’s greatest con man” (Cooper) for a sting. Oh, and the movie’s not calledAmerican Bullshitany more — it’s going without a title at the moment until filmmakers and marketers can come up with something less profane. Read more details after the jump.
Since breaking out with 2008’sThe Hurt Locker, Renner’s become the go-to guy for blockbuster action franchises. He’s had key roles inThe AvengersandMission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and will serve as the new face of theBourneseries in next month’sThe Bourne Legacy. Next year sees him starring inHansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, in which he’ll play gingerbread house survivor-turned-bounty hunter Hansel.American Bullshit(or whatever it winds up being called) looks like a nice opportunity for him to mix things up a bit, and flex some different dramatic muscles.
Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures — which is also behind such prestige pics as John Hillcoat’sLawless, Paul Thomas Anderson’sThe Master, and Kathryn Bigelow’sZero Dark Thirty— will produce. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisition will distribute in some international territories, while Columbia Pictures will handle the Stateside rollout. Production is on track to start in February.
