David O. Russell may actually make The Silver Linings Playbook, possibly with Jennifer Lawrence

By Sean O'Neal | July 21, 2011 | 2:36pm

Aux Features Film

Like a tantrum-throwing stallion, director David O. Russell doesn’t like to be fenced in by “commitments” or “contracts” or “announced projects,” forever nosing around potential films but rarely resting long before he’s back out galloping on the wind. But according to Deadline, the nets have come down, the ropes have been staked, and a bucking Russell is now being stroked and soothed into committing to The Silver Linings Playbook as his next movie, with an eye on shooting this fall. While we’ve certainly learned not to attempt to saddle Russell with anything—we’ve just ended up in the dust one too many times—Playbook does seem a likely choice, considering Russell has been talking about making it for years.

The film is an adaptation of Matthew Quick’s 2008 novel about a former high school teacher, just released from a mental hospital, whose attempts to win back his wife are complicated by his getting involved with his “eccentric neighbor,” a role that will reportedly go to Jennifer Lawrence, provided she can fit it into her Hunger Games schedule. That’s a fairly big commitment for Lawrence, so we’re guessing Russell isn’t just wasting her time here. Also arguing in favor of Russell actually making this: The lead will be played by Mark Wahlberg, the Russell-horse whisperer who seems to be the only man who can tame him.