Things are looking pretty good for 'American Hustle' director David O. Russell, who has spent the past five years reinventing himself. The man who was once known more for being a pain in the ass on the set of 'I Heart Huckabees' and getting in a fistfight with George Clooney while shooting 'Three Kings' has emerged as the modern master of the crowd-pleaser, crafting straightforward movies that make big bucks at the box office and get a bunch of Oscar attention. That's the kind of combination that convinces every actor in Hollywood to get in line to work with you. And that's probably why Robert De Niro is in talks to join the cast of 'Joy,' which will be his third collaboration with Russell in three years.

The news of the casting comes via The Hollywood Reporter, but the details end there. The film, which tells the story of Miracle Mop creator and Home Shopping Network staple Joy Mangano (yes, seriously), is already set to star Jennifer Lawrence. As for De Niro, he'll play Mangano's father in the film. Russell is also saying that he has a potential role for Bradley Cooper in the script, which would make this into a big reunion special for everyone involved. After all, De Niro, Lawrence and Cooper all appeared together in both 'Silver Linings Playbook' and 'American Hustle,' earning the group a combined four Oscar nominations and one win. Teaming up again seems like a no-brainer.

Although we remain a little perplexed by how the story of a home shopping queen can make for a compelling film, it's exciting to see De Niro working alongside such talented people after years of slumming it. The past decade hasn't been kind to the Greatest Living American Actor, but an Oscar nod for 'Silver Linings Playbook' seemed to kick him back into gear. If working with Russell every year for the rest of his career is what it takes to get an engaged De Niro back on screen with some regularity, then by all means, keep this collaboration going!

'Joy' is set to begin filming in February for a December 2015 release.

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