John David Washington Joins David O'Russell's Next Film

John David Washington continues to see his stock rise.

Deadline Hollywood has announced that the rising young actor and the son of Denzel Washington will be starring opposite Christian Bale and Margot Robbie in the latest film from writer/director David O’Russell.

Very little is known about the plot and there isn’t an official title for the film but the goal is to begin shooting in Los Angeles in January. Before the pandemic shutdown, the film was supposed to begin principal photography in April. Washington takes over the role that was initially intended for Michael B. Jordan. It has also been rumoured for months that O’Russel is eyeing roles for Robert De Niro and Mike Myers but this has yet to be confirmed.

For Washington, this another major role for an actor who in just the last two years has made a name for himself in Hollywood. Although he had numerous roles in film and television before, he made his breakthrough in 2018 in Spike Lee’s Oscar winning “BlackKlansmen” which earned him Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Best Actor. Washington can be now be seen on the big screen in Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thriller “Tenet” and will be seen very soon in “Malcolm and Marie” which Netflix just bought for a whopping $30 million.

O’Russell returns to the director’s chair for the first time since 2015’s “Joy”. Over the last decade, he has gained a strong reputation for getting the best performances out of his actors in films like “The Fighter”, “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle” including 12 Oscar nominations for acting and three wins. There is an excellent chance that if this is well received like those movies were, we could see more nods and wins for Washington, Bale and Robbie in the future.

David O’Russel’s next feature will begin principal photography in January and likely hit theaters for the 2021 awards season via 20th Century Studios