First Look: Cooper & Bale Do the 'Hustle'

Published
Sony

Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale have been recruited for the highly anticipated follow-up to David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook, and we have a first look at their wild, stylish new looks for American Hustle.

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The image, courtesy of USA Today (with an additional shot HERE of Bale with co-star Amy Adams, looking refreshingly slinky in a low-cut blue dress), show a bearded Cooper sporting tight curls while Bale rocks a fluffy comb-over, an ascot and killer collar.

Out in limited release on December 13 and going nationwide Christmas Day, the late '70s/early '80s-era corruption tale of American Hustle is based on the true story of Irving Rosenfeld, a notorious financial con artist from the Bronx who, along and his Brit mistress/partner-in-crime Sydney (Adams), was forced to work with out-of-control FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper) to expose other con artists, mobsters and politicians -- including volatile New Jersey mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), who is managing to keep his community afloat despite a recession. Meanwhile, Rosenfeld's Long Island housewife Rosalyn's (Jennifer Lawrence) loose cannon demeanor threatens to derail the entire operation.

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With key Silver Linings Playbook (Cooper and Lawrence, plus Robert De Niro) and The Fighter (Bale and Adams) cast members on board American Hustle, plus additional names like Louis C.K. and Michael Pena, this new entry by Russell looks to be another powerful, Oscar-worthy entry in an extremely impressive IMDB resume.