The Hollywood Reporter says that dramedy Nailed, which was filmed more than two years ago, has now lost co-writer/director David O. Russell, who has opted not to finish the movie.
The film features Jessica Biel as Sammy Joyce, a socially awkward small-town receptionist who has a nail accidentally shot into her head by a clumsy workman, eliciting wild sexual urges. The uninsured Joyce goes on a crusade to Washington to fight for the rights of the bizarrely injured. She meets an immoral congressman (Jake Gyllenhaal) who takes advantage of her sex drive and capitalizes on her crusade as Joyce heads into her own career in politics.
Nailed is based on the novel “Sammy’s Hill” by Kristin Gore, who co-wrote the script with Russell.
Russell has withdrawn from the $26 million production after one-on-one negotiations with financier Ronald Tutor, who controls rights to the movie with Pangea Media Group CEO David Bergstein, broke down.
“This has been a painful process for me,” Russell said. “The multiple production delays and stoppages, which were caused by David Bergstein and preceded Ron Tutor’s direct involvement with me, have now spanned two years, and the circumstances under which the film would now be completed are much different on several fundamental levels than when we embarked several years ago. I, unfortunately, am no longer involved in the project and cannot call it ‘my’ film. I wish Ron Tutor well.”
Tutor said they will “go ahead probably with ‘Nailed’ and try to hire another director and finish it.” Beil and co-star Tracy Morgan would be needed for reshoots and their contracts say they would be required to do so.
Russell’s new movie, The Fighter, is scheduled to be released on December 10.
