David O. Russell, the controversial pick to direct and write the movie adaptation of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, has officially parted ways with both Sony and the project.
The reason for O. Russell’s departure was creative differences, which is not surprising given the fan backlash the director has faced due to his vision for the film. That vision included the twenty-something Nate Drake being played by Mark Wahlberg, who turns 40 in just under two weeks, and a plot surrounding "a family that’s a force to be reckoned with in the world of international art and antiquities…[a family] that deals with heads of state and heads of museums and metes out justice."
According to two Los Angeles Times sources that were not allowed to speak publicly on the matter, O. Russell had a script written and submitted, but Sony felt it was too long and ambitious. Some of these ambitions included a "bevy" of characters that were not featured in Drake’s Fortune.
This will most likely spell the end of Wahlberg’s involvement in the film as well, as he was O. Russell’s personal pick to play Drake and not a favorite amongst fans. The same should go for Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, who were believed to play two of the roles created by O. Russell.
Depsite the loss of its director, writer, and potentially stars, Sony still intends on seeing the Uncharted movie come to fruition. The company is currently searching for a new person to helm the project.
