Edgar Ramirez and Melissa Leo find 'Joy'; 'Kickboxer' Adds Gina Carano

 David O. Russell's biopic on single mother-turned-entrepreneur Joy Mangano is beginning to round into shape. Not only has the previously-rumored Bradley Cooper been confirmed to rejoin Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro in the film, but also Edgar Ramirez (Deliver Us from Evil) is joining the cast. Not only that, but Melissa Leo is in talks to play Mangano's mother.  Lawrence stars as Mangano, a single mother of three who struck it big by inventing the "Miracle Mop", selling it and other inventions on Home Shopping Network. Ramirez will play Mangano's ex-husband, Tony Miranne. Leo won an Oscar the last time she worked with Russell, winning for her supporting role in The Fighter. Joy begins filming in February.

Gina Carano in the Kickboxer remake? Makes perfect sense. Gina Carano not kicking ass, though, is just plain stupid. The Fast Six and Haywire actress will join original star Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dave Bautista, Georges St. Pierre, Sara Malakul Lane, and Alain Moussi in the film about an American who enters the brutal world of Muay Thai kickboxing to avenge his brother's murder at the hands of champion, Tong Po. Carano will play a fight promoter described by producers as "a sneaky and dangerous temptress".

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David O. Russell wants Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper for 'Joy'

If you're going to hook your wagon to a trio of stars, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Bradley Cooper are pretty good options. David O. Russell has found the greatest success of his career working with them over his last two films, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, and it looks like he wants to keep the good times going with his Joy Mangano biopic, Joy.

Jennifer Lawrence is already on board to star as Mangano, famously known as the inventor of the Miracle Mop. She was just another housewife struggling to get by until she created the easy-wringing mop, and earned a fortune selling it on QVC. While talking with Go (tip of the hat to ThePlaylist), Russell revealed his hope for De Niro to join the cast, and that a role is being fashioned for Cooper...

Russell: “We’re gonna take some risks we haven’t taken before, in storytelling and cinematically.  I think I’d very much like (Robert) De Niro to be in it, I think he’s gonna be in it.  And of course I always create a role for Bradley Cooper.  I try to have things people have never done.  Then they can get excited, and it’s exciting for audiences.  That’s what makes it daring in some way.”

I kind of miss the days when Russell and Mark Wahlberg were the dynamic duo, and maybe some day we'll get to see that pairing again. But it's undeniable he's found a certain chemistry between Lawrence, Cooper, and De Niro that audiences are responding to.  Joy is set to open next year on Christmas Day.

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