It’s not uncommon for filmmakers to have a favorite actor, but David O. Russell took it to another level with Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle. The movie featured other A-listers like Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper as well, but the director’s bias towards Lawrence was quite clear. In a particular sequence featuring The Hunger Games actress, O. Russell went as far as reworking the script to give her character a bigger spotlight.
The duo has collaborated on many projects throughout the years. But O. Russell’s flipping the entire script and bending his vision to accommodate her in the movie shows just how much he valued her presence in the $251 million movie.
Jennifer Lawrence Takes the Lead: David O. Russell’s Script Changes in American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence and David O. Russell have forged one of the most remarkable actor-director partnerships in Hollywood history. The duo has made three standout movies together, namely Siler Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and Joy. All of them have collectively earned seven Oscar nominations. Further, Silver Linings Playbook helped Lawrence bag her first Academy Award for Best Actress as well.
In the midst of successful projects, the duo reunited at the Tribeca Film Festival and offered a creative discussion on their journey in the industry (via Vanity Fair). In between the conversation, O. Russell recalled how, despite the acclaim that American Hustle received, their collaboration nearly didn’t happen. The actress had just completed The Hunger Games series and was not looking out for any new projects.
But the filmmaker was convinced that only she could play the character of Rosalyn Rosenfeld, the alcoholic and flamboyant wife of Christian Bale’s character. So, despite her unavailability, O. Russell was determined to cast her.
He approached her with a pitch that included a promise that her character would be having long hair, long nails, and a touch of craziness. After which the actress agreed for the role, making her the last member to join the cast.
Interestingly, her character, Rosalyn, was supposed to have a dramatic and dark fate in the movie. O. Russell added, “Her character originally was supposed to hang herself.” However, the director thought Lawrence’s portrayal made Roselyn too engaging and lively for such a grim fate. So, he decided to rework the script on the same day of the shooting.
The changed script featured a dramatic confrontation between Roselyn and Christian Bale‘s Irving Rosenfeld instead. In the heated scene, Roselyn suggests the couple should end their marriage, which O. Russell felt was the perfect ending for her.
Will Die, My Love Give Lawrence and Robert Pattinson the Spotlight That Twilight Didn’t?
If the rumor mills are to be believed, both Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence are in discussions to star in the upcoming thriller Die, My Love. This would mark the actors’ first on-screen collaboration with each other. Interestingly, Lawrence had also auditioned for the role of Bella Swan in Twilight. The part that later went to Kristen Stewart and launched her to global fame.
Lawrence recalled the missed opportunity and added that she was swiftly rejected without any callback. But eventually, better things happened career-wise for her when she landed The Hunger Games and Winter’s Bone. Meanwhile, Pattinson’s portrayal of Edward Cullen in the movie skyrocketed his career trajectory.
Though the duo missed the chance to collaborate earlier, Die, My Love offers a new opportunity for them to work together, marking a notable chemistry and collaboration on the screen.
You can watch American Hustle on Apple TV.
