Production of the upcoming movie Madden, starring Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale, was disrupted after a supporting actor suddenly left the project. The actor quit two weeks into filming, claiming there was racism on set and disagreeing over a scene that required full frontal nudity. The main accusation involves director David O. Russell, who reportedly used the N-word during a rehearsal.
Five people working on the film told TMZ that during an unplanned rehearsal for a monologue, Russell allegedly said the racial slur. This, along with the actor’s discomfort with a planned nude locker room scene, led the actor to walk off set before lunch and eventually leave the production entirely.
However, Amazon Studios, the company producing the film, tells a different story. Apparently, the actor had originally suggested including the N-word in the monologue. While they admit the word was not used in the final filmed scene, they insist Russell never said it during filming. The studio did not explain exactly what upset the actor and crew during the rehearsal; instead, they focused on how the incident had supposedly started.
Madden movie loses actor over n-word use
The actor’s discomfort with the nudity scene also played a part in their departure. The actor reportedly objected to being nude in the locker room scene the day before the alleged N-word incident. The studio claims all actors knew about the nudity requirements beforehand, and an intimacy coordinator tried to ease the actor’s concerns by suggesting different camera angles and blocking.
After the actor continued to express discomfort, Russell reportedly told them they did not have to be in the scene. Amazon Studios sources say they are still in talks with the actor and have not ruled out their return to the project. This incident adds to Russell’s long history of controversies. Past accusations include on-set abuse and a sexual assault claim made by his transgender niece in 2012.
According to Page Six, at the time, Russell admitted to touching his niece’s breasts, saying he was curious about the effects of hormone therapy. Other reports describe abusive behavior on the set of “Three Kings,” as claimed by George Clooney, and mistreatment of Amy Adams on “American Hustle,” which reportedly made her cry.
It is unclear how this latest controversy will affect the Madden movie. While Amazon Studios says they are open to working things out with the actor, the situation has created tension on set. The involvement of big-name actors like Cage and Bale, both known for their intense method acting, adds another complication.
David O. Russell is a pretty controversial director due to how he behaves. Even with all his successful movies, he’s still gotten into hot water frequently.
A source close to the production said their deep commitment to their roles, which can sometimes lead to clashes, made the already stressful situation worse. However, the studio insists there has been no off-camera conflict between the two lead actors.
