Christian Bale Joins David O. Russell’s Next Film With Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner & Amy Adams; Official Synopsis Revealed

As David O. Russell gears up for another awards season run with "Silver Linings Playbook," he's also been busy lining up his next project and the folks at the Dolby Theater might as well reserve a seat for him for the 2014 ceremonies.

Christian Bale, who was first linked to the project formerly known as "American Bullshit" back in the spring and was seemingly replaced by Bradley Cooper, is now officially on board, joining Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams in the picture. To recap: Bale, Cooper, Adam, Renner. Damn. That is one helluva cast.

Written by Russell and Eric Warren Singer ("The International"), the film is based on the true story of Abscam, the FBI's 1980 undercover sting operation of Congress to root out corruption. The brainchild of convicted con artist Melvin Weinberg, who was hired by the bureau to run the investigation, the operation targeted thirty-one officials leading to eleven convictions, and while the operation came under scrutiny for the use of unorthodox methods, all the convictions were upheld on appeal. So who is playing what in this? Check out the official synopsis: 

The Untitled David O. Russell Project is based on the true story of a notorious financial con artist (Bale) and his mistress/partner in crime (Adams), who were forced to work with an out of control federal agent (Cooper) to turn the tables on other con artists, mobsters, and politicians. At the epicenter of the entire tale, is the passionate and volatile leader of the New Jersey state assembly (Renner) who is also the local hero and mayor of impoverished Camden.

Production begins in February, and given how on fire Russell is at the moment, we can't wait to see what he puts together with this one. Annapurna is financing the picture and co-producing alongside Atlas Entertainment. The film is aiming for a late 2013 release.