Celebrity News

Jolie eyed for two big films

“The Fighter” director David O. Russell is negotiating with Angelina Jolie to work together on several films. At the Ghetto Film School Spring Benefit Monday night at the Standard, where he was honored with an award, Russell said he was in talks to direct Jolie in “Maleficent,” a “Sleeping Beauty”-based Disney project. Sources say Russell is a favorite to direct since Tim Burton dropped out in May. Russell is also speaking with Jolie about starring in “The Silver Linings Playbook,” a comedy with Mark Wahlberg. Russell was also meeting with Robert De Niro about the project before he arrived at the benefit, where Melissa Leo and Blake Lively introduced him. Marisa Tomei, Anna Faris, Luis Guzman, Spike Jonze and CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and Alina Cho all attended the event, which raises money for the Bronx-based nonprofit’s scholarships and educational programs for young filmmakers.