Gawker: defamer, james caan

From the cancer-stricken title character...

STV — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:38:40 EDT

From the cancer-stricken title character of Brian's Song to the broken-footed novelist of Misery (don't even get us started on The Godfather), James Caan knows a thing or two about suffering onscreen. So naturally we're stunned to learn that the "creative differences" that irreparably fractured the actor's relationship with David O. Russell on the set of Nailed came down to... the proper way to choke on a cookie? "Russell asked him to cough as he choked, but Caan argued that the character couldn't cough and choke to death at the same time," wrote Gregg Goldstein today in The Hollywood Reporter. "Russell suggested that they shoot it both ways, but the actor expressed distrust that his version would be considered and left the South Carolina set." Caan's replacement has yet to be determined, but will be screened carefully by the newly wary Russell for his knowledge of (and loose adherance to) basic physiological functions. [THR]

James Caan and Jake Gyllenhaal Not Responding So Well To The David O. Russell Touch

STV — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:25:00 EDT

James Caan and Jake Gyllenhaal are the latest casualties of David O. Russell's tastefully hands-on directing style, which this week resulted in the Caan's departure from and Gyllenhaal's apparent whimpering around the set of Russell's latest film, Nailed. As reported today, Caan walked out after "creative differences" with the tempestuous filmmaker best known for berating Lily Tomlin while shooting I Heart Huckabees (or is it for fighting George Clooney during Three Kings? It's always been too close for us to call).

But it's word of Gyllenhaal's continued lightweightedness on the South Carolina set that has us a little more concerned:

[I]t's hard to imagine someone this manly throwing a hissy-fit, but according to our source on the set of the movie Nailed, that's exactly what actor Jake Gyllenhaal did yesterday, causing the crew to shut down filming early and spend an additional day shooting at the South Carolina State House.
"He was complaining that the room was too small, complaining about the temperature, complaining about his chair," our source says. "It was like watching a two-year old have a meltdown every five minutes."

We would have thought that after Gyllenhaal's rigorous warm-up with David Fincher on Zodiac — over which his resilient co-star Mark Ruffalo famously commented "Fincher's going to eat you for breakfast" — would have been preparation enough for the Russell Marathon to come. But while we'll account for some level of gossipy exaggeration here, we really do hope an erstwhile Southern amateur can tape Russell leveling a "You're worse than fucking Lily!" accusation at his pouty leading man and the extraordinary headlock-and-slapfight skirmish sure to follow. We'd even pay money for footage of Russell chewing out his co-writer Kristin Gore (Al and Tipper's daughter) behind the scenes. This guy is loud; someone out there has to have heard something.

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

David O. Russell Strikes Again! [Popwrap]
Gyllenhaal Throws Hissy Fit [FITS]

James Caan Gracefully Slides Further Into His Cranky Old Man Phase

Douglas Reinhardt — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:20:43 EDT

boomp3.com

And another thing about these fuckin' kids today is that they don't know how to wear a pair of pants. How do you fuck that up? Whatever happened going down to Brooks Brothers and having some tailor taking your measurements and coming back with a pair of pants that fits? And what's with all the typing on the phone? Whatsamatta with everyone? Suddenly, we've all become Mr. Greenjeans and we can't pick up a phone and talk to somebody? I gotta e-mail my own son in order to ask him how he's doing. Mr. Big Shot never has the time to pick up the phone.

[Photo Credit: INF]