Director David O. Russell’s latest film, “Amsterdam,” boasts an all-star solid, together with main names like Taylor Swift, Margot Robbie, Christian Bale, John David Washington, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert De Niro. Rounding out the prolonged record of celebrities concerned within the movie is Drake, who serves as one of many government producers. The homicide thriller, set within the Thirties, will probably be launched in theaters on Oct. 7.
It’s simply the newest providing from Russell, a director with 5 Academy Award nominations beneath his belt for critically acclaimed motion pictures together with “Silver Linings Playbook,” “The Fighter,” and “American Hustle.” “Amsterdam” is his first movie since 2015’s “Joy.” But allegations of abuse have additionally adopted the director for years, with well-known actors like George Clooney and Amy Adams accusing him of misbehavior on set, along with allegations of groping from Russell’s personal niece.
Ahead, we’re breaking down all the main allegations in opposition to the controversial director within the timeline during which they occurred. (Reps for Russell didn’t instantly reply to POPSUGAR’s request for touch upon every of the next outlined allegations and incidents.)
What Has David O. Russell Been Accused of?
In a 2000 interview with Playboy, Clooney mirrored on his experiences working with Russell on “Three Kings” the 12 months prior. “David is in some ways a genius, although I discovered that he is not a genius in terms of folks expertise,” he stated. He went on to allege that Russell, “Yelled and screamed at folks all day, from day one.” Clooney claimed tensions ultimately reached a boiling level when Russell allegedly head-butted him earlier than grabbing him by the throat. Clooney stated he too then grabbed Russell by the throat, and one among his buddies bodily eliminated him. Russell responded to Clooney’s allegations in 2004, saying, “I by no means bodily attacked him. If I bumped into him, I’d say, ‘Shut the f*ck up, you lying-ass b*tch.'” Clooney later advised The Hollywood Reporter in 2012 that the pair put the argument behind them once they met at a celebration.
The New York Times reported in 2004 that Russell equally allegedly acquired right into a heated argument about Jude Law with Christopher Nolan. Law was set to star in “I Heart Huckabees,” however was reportedly planning to depart the challenge for Nolan’s “Memento.” The Times reported that Russell allegedly put Nolan in a headlock and demanded Nolan give the actor up. Law remained in “I Heart Huckabees.” Reps for Nolan didn’t reply to POPSUGAR’s request for touch upon the incident.
That similar 12 months, a video went viral from the set of the aforementioned challenge, “I Heart Huckabees,” which appeared to indicate Russell yelling at actor Lily Tomlin. Russell advised the New York Times in 2004, “Sure, I want I hadn’t accomplished that. But Lily and I are nice.” In 2011, Tomlin advised Movieline that she and Russell had been buddies and after the disagreement, they shortly returned to taking pictures. “David is a really mercurial individual, and that is a part of why he is so good,” she stated partially. She additionally stated on the time that she would work with the director once more.
Fast-forward a number of years: Actor Paul Reubens claimed at SXSW in 2011 that Russell screamed at him on the primary day of filming a film known as “Nailed.” “My first day on the film, he was screaming at me on the high of his lungs. I could not consider it. I used to be sitting there, and he was cursing and screaming on the primary take,” he stated.
Allegations about Russell lengthen past simply on-set interactions, nevertheless.
In 2012, Russell’s niece Nicole Peloquin filed a police report alleging that he had sexually assaulted her whereas they labored out in a gymnasium in Florida. She was 19 years outdated on the time. According to the police report, obtained by The Smoking Gun, Peloquin alleged that Russell had groped her breasts. In response, the director claimed to the police that Peloquin was “performing very provocative in direction of him” and requested “if he may assist with ab workouts.” Russell advised police that he had requested Peloquin about breast enhancements she had accomplished and transitioning (Peloquin is transgender). No arrest was made, although a sheriff’s spokesperson advised The Smoking Gun on the time that Peloquin may file expenses by way of the state lawyer’s workplace. At the time, Russell’s spokesperson stated in a press release, “David O. Russell emphatically denies any wrongdoing and has cooperated totally with the authorities.” POPSUGAR was unable to search out contact data for his niece.
The incident wasn’t the top of the allegations concerning Russell, sadly.
Two years later, when the extensively reported Sony hack occurred in 2014 — leaking emails of high-profile firm workers — messages about Russell’s alleged actions towards Adams in the course of the filming of “American Hustle” had been included. “His abuse and lunatic conduct [sic] are excessive even by Hollywood requirements,” one e-mail claimed. Adams later addressed the claims in an interview with British GQ in 2016 and admitted that Russell made her cry “most days.” “He did. He was onerous on me, that is for positive. It was loads,” she stated partially.
“Jennifer [Lawrence] would not take any of it on. She’s Teflon. And I’m not Teflon. But I additionally do not prefer to see different folks handled badly, you realize what I imply?” Adams advised the outlet. She additionally advised GQ that Russell had numerous “vitality” once they labored collectively beforehand on “The Fighter,” however that his conduct was totally different by the point they went to shoot “American Hustle.” Russell didn’t reply on the time.
Now evidently a few of Russell’s alleged misdeeds whereas filming have been reframed by some. At the “Amsterdam” premiere on Sept. 19, Ben Stiller led a query and reply session with among the solid and Russell. According to Variety, Stiller stated Russell’s course of causes an “intentional sort of chaos” on set. “It’s a unique expertise,” Robbie stated in the course of the session. “I feel we are able to all attest to that. It’s not like working with anybody else. Every day you go to set, you do not know what is going on to occur. Literally you do not know what you are going to shoot that day, which is terrifying and likewise exhilarating.”
“Amsterdam” will open in theaters nationwide Oct. 7.
