The much-anticipated film Amsterdam finally hit theaters across the country last weekend, earning $6.5 million in domestic box office returns.
The period comedy thriller movie features an ensemble cast with some of Hollywood’s crème de la crème: Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Anya Joy-Taylor and MCU stars Zoe Saldaña and Christian Bale are among those who make up the star-studded lineup.
Veteran actor Robert De Niro is also a part of the cast, as is singer Taylor Swift. The film is written, directed and produced by David O. Russell, previously known for Silver Linings Playbook, Joy and American Hustle.
Russell is a frequent collaborator with a select group of actors in the industry; Bale and De Niro are joined by the likes of Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper on the list of stars who have worked multiple times with the controversial filmmaker.
Academy Award-winning star Bale is now one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, but even he was humbled by the opportunity to work with someone like De Niro. 79-year-old De Niro is among the most decorated Hollywood performers, with two Oscars of his own, a Golden Globe Award, and even a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Christian Bale Said That Working With Robert De Niro Was A Dream Come True
In 2013, Christian Bale was one of the headliners of David O. Russell’s black comedy crime film, American Hustle. Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence all played leading roles in the movie as well. Robert De Niro was also featured, although his cameo was uncredited.
That is the only time Bale and De Niro would have claimed to have worked together before Amsterdam. With the Goodfellas’ star’s pedigree in the industry, it was Bale’s desire to one day get to collaborate properly in a production. That desire was finally fulfilled this year.
In a virtual interview with The Toronto Star, the actor referred to the unique opportunity to star alongside De Niro as “a dream come true.” In Amsterdam, Bale plays a doctor and war veteran known as Burt Berendsen, while De Niro features as Gil Dillenbeck, an army veteran himself. The latter’s character is based on the real-life “Maverick Marine,” Major General Smedley Darlington Butler.
Robert De Niro Enjoyed Working With David O. Russell In Amsterdam
David O. Russell does not have the best reputation in Hollywood. The 64-year-old has a radical directorial style, that has infamously seen him fall out with stars including George Clooney, Lily Tomlin and Amy Adams.
Having already worked with him in the past, Christian Bale and Robert De Niro did not have such qualms, however. In fact, The Godfather star was eager to renew his partnership with Russell. This was despite the fact that he did not originally have full details of the character he was going to play.
“David was trying to get me to get involved in it and I wanted to, of course… Anything that he did, I’d want to be involved with, but I wasn’t sure [about the character],” De Niro said, also virtually to The Star. “Finally he made me aware of who this character was, Smedley Butler, and so slowly, things came together.”
De Niro admitted that this was the first he had heard about Major Gen. Butler, and that he had had to “watch videos, read material on him, his speeches and stories about him” to prepare.
What Did Christian Bale Say About Amsterdam Director David O. Russell?
Christian Bale was just as effusive in his praise of David O. Russell, and particularly the style that makes him such an enigma in the industry. “All great directors have a very unique way of working; what makes them great directors is that they’ve got a unique and singular vision,” he said.
“And David, oh, man, totally different the way he works than anybody else. And I love it.”
Plans for the production and release of Amsterdam were first announced in January 2020, with Bale and Margot Robbie confirmed in starring roles. Michael B. Jordan was also mentioned as part of the cast, but he dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by John David Washington.
As was the case with most productions at the time, filming was delayed for a while thanks to the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. The process eventually resumed in January 2021, with principal photography taking place in L.A. and wrapping up about two months later.
