Will David O. Russell Direct Anne Hathaway And Bradley Cooper In 'The Silver Linings Playbook' Before 'Uncharted'?

Given the flurry of news on David O. Russell's planned adaptation of the video game Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, there have been assumptions that it would be his next film. But we know he's only half done with the script at this point, which means the film can't be greenlit, so it may be premature to assume Uncharted is the director's follow-up to The Fighter.

Another recent option for the director has been the Vince Vaughn film Old St. Louis, but a new report says that won't be his next one, either. New info says he'll next tackle The Silver Linings Playbook, of which we haven't heard anything substantial since March 2009.

Roger Friedman reports that The Silver Linings Playbook may go before cameras first, and we've got to admit that he was right the last time he reported on a David O. Russell project. (Saying that the director wants to reunite Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in Uncharted.)

Friedman's report says that Anne Hathaway has "quietly signed on" to the project, and that Bradley Cooper is being pursued for the male lead.Here's the basic info about the novel:

During the years he spends in a neural health facility, Pat Peoples formulates a theory about silver linings: he believes his life is a movie produced by God, his mission is to become physically fit and emotionally supportive, and his happy ending will be the return of his estranged wife Nikki. When Pat meets the tragically widowed, physically fit, and clinically depressed Tiffany, she offers to act as a liaison between him and his wife, if only he will give up watching football, agree to perform in this year's Dance Away Depression competition, and promise not to tell anyone about their 'contract.' All the while, Pat keeps searching for his silver lining.

So, Bradley Cooper as Pat and Anne Hathaway as Tiffany. Then there's Pat's ex-wife to cast, and his mother also plays a significant role. (Hint: when casting that role, better to ignore the ugly set video from I Heart Huckabees showing an argument between David O. Russell and Lily Tomlin. He's much nicer now, really.)

This is one that David O. Russell has been circling since 2008, when the novel was published. The director's interest was quiet for a while, then was widely reported in 2009, and little has been heard of it since. I like the idea, especially as a quick film before Uncharted. There's the potential for some real comedy here, and also the family dynamics that the director is known for.