Are BFFs Mark Wahlberg and David O. Russell having trouble? Are there problems in the house that “Three Kings,” “I Heart Huckabees” and “The Fighter” built? Nah, it’s nothing more than routine scheduling issues but it looks like the two best bros and frequent collaborators won’t be reteaming for “The Silver Linings Playbook” — but one of the earliest names attached the film has returned.
So first, what’s the issue causing Wahlberg to drop out? Well, with “The Silver Linings Playbook” now eyeing a fall shoot, it appears that the actor’s commitment to the gestating Albert Hughes flick “Broken City” is causing some problems on his calendar, forcing him to leave. Boo-urns. However, Bradley Cooper, first rumored as a possible lead for the film way back in December (along with Anne Hathaway) is now back in talks to take the part vacated by Wahlberg, with his “Limitless” co-star Robert De Niro also looking to come on board. Nice.
The film, which has been in the works for a few years now, is based on the book by Matthew Quick and centers on Pat Peoples (Cooper), a former high school teacher who, after being released from a four-year stint in a mental institution, moves back in with his mother; he then seeks to remake himself, finding the titular silver linings in his life. Jennifer Lawrence will take on the part of a depressed neighbour, who after the death of her husband, goes on a wild sexual spree, loses her job and eventually becomes friends with and a love interest for Pat. It was actually the casting of Lawrence that threw the film for a loop, causing the originally scheduled later summer to start to be moved to accommodate her work on “The Hunger Games.” As for De Niro, there’s no word yet on his role or even if the mercurial actor will say yes (through he was cited as one of the possible leads for Russell’s aborted “Uncharted“).
Cooper’s participation will likely depend on if he can squeeze the film in between the currently shooting “The Place Beyond The Pines” and Alex Proyas‘ “Paradise Lost” which will mount in late 2011/early 2012 in Australia but there is a good healthy space between projects that should allow him to take it on. It’s an interesting shift in casting, and this lineup is certainly intriguing. [Deadline]
