David O. Russell has been the queen of crack (not ‘that’ crack) since he started helming movies. This time, the filmmaker engaged in a full-fledged yelling altercation with renowned cinematographer Robert Richardson (“Kill Bill,” “JFK”) in addition to his typical verbal outbursts and unpredictable mood swings.
A wild scene during what was meant to be a ninety-minute crew break is described by insiders on the set of Russell’s long-running biography of NFL coach John Madden, which stars Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale. Russell had left the set for a bit, and Bale, renowned for his methodical intensity, had fallen asleep in full costume on a couch.
Richardson saw an opening and chose to use the house lights to covertly roll the camera in an attempt to capture some private moments in between. Most directors would kill for that kind of artistic serendipity. Russell, though, had a breakdown.
As per the accounts of the new wives’ tale, Russell returned in the middle of the shot and became enraged as soon as he realised what was happening. The director and DP engaged in an unpleasant verbal altercation that escalated into a physical altercation, with objects allegedly being hurled across the room. As the scene worsened, crew members were forced to back off. Richardson eventually yelled, “F*ck you, f*ck everyone,” before stomping off set. (Geez)
None of this is surprising to anyone acquainted with Russell’s past. This kind of altercation also happened with Lily Tomlin in 2004. Tomlin and director David O. Russell collaborated on the 2004 comedy/indie film I Heart Hucklebees. She didn’t experience the most pleasant time working with him, though. If anything, it was hardly an enjoyable excursion for her because of all the profanities the director flung at her.
Shortly thereafter, a tape from the sets of the very film leaked, clearly illustrating the awful atrocities done towards the then-65-year-old Tomlin. At one point, Russell can be seen yelling obscenities that sounded like this while slamming through the materials of a table between them on the ground.
He was profanely yelling, “OK b—h? I’m not here to be f—in’ yelled at! I worked on this f—in’ thing for three f—in’ years not to have some f—in’ c—t yell at me in front of the f—in’ crew when I’m trying to f—in’ help you, you b—h!”
However, Lily Tomlin dismissed any rumours of animosity between her and Russell years later. She then leapt to Russell’s defence in a 2011 interview with Movieline, stating: “David is a very mercurial person, and that’s part of why he’s so brilliant. He almost reflects the movie. I did two movies with him, and I Heart Huckabees was so crazy, so all over the place. I think he kind of embodies intuitively whatever he’s trying to make happen. It was just crazy, crazy stuff.”
There was also one famous incident back in the 2000s with the reowned George Clooney. In an interview with Playboy back in 2000, Clooney disclosed that he “fought for” a part in Russell’s military drama movie. “David Russell wrote as good a script as I’ve ever read. I fought to get it. He wanted a lot of other actors before me. They went to Mel [Gibson] and to [Nicolas] Cage. I wanted to work on this movie. David is in many ways a genius, though I learned that he’s not a genius when it comes to people skills,” he said.
But shortly after filming started, Clooney’s affection for Russell began to wane. He blatantly stated that “he yelled and screamed at people all day, from day one, [Russell yelled at] me often and at someone daily.” Clooney expressed his displeasure with Russell’s treatment of crew members in subsequent reports. Clooney stated, “I told [Russell], ‘You can yell and scream and even fire [the camera car driver], but what you can’t do is humiliate him in front of people,'” per Vulture. ” Not on my set, if I have any say about it.”
Speaking with Playboy, Clooney recalled a more contentious circumstance and stated, “David wanted one of the extras to grab me and throw me down. This kid was a little nervous about it, and David walked up to him and grabbed him. He pushed him onto the ground. He kicked him and screamed, ‘Do you want to be in this [expletive] movie?’”
Russell provoked the superstar into a physical altercation, grabbed him by the throat, and struck him in the head when he attempted to step in. Clooney then admitted that he “went nuts” and gripped the director’s throat. “I had him by the throat. I was going to kill him. Kill him. Finally, he apologized, but I walked away,” the actor recounted. This is actually nuts.
There was a controversy surrounding David O’ Russel and Amy Adams. In 2016, Adams acknowledged that while filming American Hustle, director David O. Russell reduced her to tears. He made her cry most of the time.
“He did … I was really just devastated on set. I mean, not every day, but most,” she said to GQ. “Jennifer [Lawrence] doesn’t take any of it on. She’s Teflon. And I am not Teflon.” She added, “But I also don’t like to see other people treated badly … It’s not ok with me. Life to me is more important than movies. It really taught me how to separate work and home. Because I was like, I cannot bring this experience home with me to my daughter.”
Jennifer Lawrence was also questioned about Adams. Lawrence appeared to continue acting like “Teflon” and ignore the actions. She stated, “I really felt like with David that was his way of communicating in a non–bulls— way. I never felt like he was degrading or yelling at me. If he didn’t like something, he was just like: ‘That was terrible. Looked like s—. Do it better.’ And that was a very helpful conversation,” said Lawrence. “… I’m not sensitive. I don’t know how you can be in this industry. I mean, these young girls are hopefully gonna grow up in a different time.”
Back in the present, five members of the cast and crew reportedly discussed the incident with the outlet during the “Madden” filming. According to various accounts, the actor was working with Russell on “an impromptu monologue when the director allegedly said the N-word,” which caused him and others who witnessed the exchange to leave the set.
Perhaps this web of conspiracies will never end; every project involves this long, unhealthy tirade that reflects relentless sacrifice and unfolding of the inner workings of the movie-making process. The only thing left to do is watch the biopic “Madden,” which stars Bale as Al Michaels and Cage as legendary NFL coach and commentator John Madden. The film is supposed to follow Madden’s reluctant ascent to fame following his retirement from coaching, charting his unforeseen second act as a video game entrepreneur and broadcaster.
