If I had a massive fortune to play with, I would probably do what Megan Ellison has been doing with her production company Annapurna. She gives out decently sized budgets to filmmakers with a vision, resulting in some terrific films like Her and Zero Dark Thirty. It makes me happy producers out there are still willing to develop and make films with a unique point of view, even if they do not always appeal to me (i.e. Spring Breakers).
Last year, Annapurna teamed up with David O. Russell for American Hustle, a film that was met with a lot of backlash that I still thoroughly enjoyed (it even made my top 10 of last year). Well, it looks as if the Russell/Ellison working relationship was a good one because Russell has signed up for a two-picture deal with Annapurna.
There is no word yet on what those projects will end up being, but I can already say this has me excited. Russell has been on a bit of a winning streak with The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, and, yes, even American Hustle. He has a compelling voice I am always interested in hearing.
He is currently working on Joy, a film about the life of the inventor of the Miracle Mop, Joy Mangano, for Fox 2000 Pictures. Russell staple Jennifer Lawrence is his first choice for the part. So, whatever he ends up making with Annapurna will have to wait a bit, as that film is set to be released Christmas 2015. I will be waiting eagerly for what those films end up being, because as of now, Russell can’t do much wrong. As for Annapurna, they are about to have Foxcatcher in theaters, which I hope is great.
Original report from Deadline
