Keke Palmer, Sacha Baron Cohen Join David O. Russell Film

Keke Palmer and Sacha Baron Cohen have joined “Super Toys,” the next film from “American Hustle” and “Amsterdam” director David O. Russell, sources have confirmed to IndieWire.

The news of the film comes ahead of the European Film Market, which takes place between February 16 and 22. FilmNation Entertainment will handle the film’s international sales during the market, a representative told IndieWire, while CAA Media Rights represents the film’s US rights. Charles Roven and Matthew Budman are producing the project.

Russell writes and directs the film, which stars Palmer and Cohen as 1970s toy salesmen “on a life-and-death mission to save themselves, their marriage, and their twelve-year-old daughter on the road to Central America. ” according to the logline.

“Super Toys” will be Russell’s 11th feature film (10th, if you don’t count “Random Love,” the rom-com from which he exited and had his name removed), and follows last year’s “Amsterdam.” The ensemble comedy starring Christian Bale, John David Washington and Margot Robbie received negative reviews from critics and flopped, grossing just $31.2 million on an $80 million budget. “Amsterdam” was Russell’s first film in seven years since 2015’s “Joy,” starring Jennifer Lawrence.

While the director has received accolades throughout his career — including a total of five Oscar nominations for 2011’s “The Fighter,” 2013’s “Silver Linings Playbook” and 2014’s “American Hustle” — his combative and unprofessional was the subject of various controversies. on-stage behavior toward actors, and an alleged 2011 incident in which he sexually assaulted his niece.

Palmer follows Jordan Peele’s “Nope” from last year, which also starred Daniel Kaluuya and Steven Yeun. He is also known for his supporting role in 2019’s “Hustlers,” his work as a child actor in Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson, VP,” and his hosting duties on “Password” and “GMA3.” She also starred in Aziz Ansari’s Being Mortal, which was suspended after Bill Murray was accused of inappropriate behavior on set.

Cohen is best known for his portrayal of Borat in two films released in 2006 and 2020, both of which received Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Netflix’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” and received multiple Emmy nominations for “Da Ali G Show” and “Who Is America?” for his series. He will next appear in the upcoming Apple TV+ series “Disclaimer,” an Alfonso Cuarón-produced thriller starring Cate Blanchett.

Deadline first reported on Russell’s film and Palmer and Cohen’s involvement.

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