News > Caan Argues with Russell Over Cookie, Leaves "Nailed"

Writer-director David O. Russell is continuing to cultivate his mixed reputation as a filmmaker. Aside from producing consistently high-quality feature films, his on-set fights have become nigh-legendary. He came to blows with the generally genial George Clooney (forgive the alliteration) on the set of "Three Kings," he had a few well-documented shouting matches with Lily Tomlin on the set of "I Heart Huckabees," and now actor James Caan can be added to his growing list of enemies. This time, the dispute had to do with a cookie and proper choking etiquette.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Caan was doing his first of two days work on the set of Russell's "Nailed," which follows a character, played by Jessica Biel, who "gets a nail lodged in her head and travels to Washington to fight for better health care." Caan was to play the Speaker of the House of Representatives who chokes to death on a cookie (clearly paralleling President Bush's near-miss with a pretzel a few years ago). THR reports:

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.

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.

This fight is almost too good to be true. I half expect to find out that it's a belated April Fools' Day joke by David Russell poking fun at his own notoriety. Equally funny to me are the carefully diplomatic statements released by Caan's spokesperson and producer Douglas Wick:

A spokesman for Caan wouldn't confirm or deny the specifics of what happened but said with a laugh that there were creative differences and the departure was amicable.

Producer Douglas Wick said the discussion was "part of an ongoing creative conversation between the actor and director" and that Russell has behaved professionally throughout the shoot.

The ensemble cast also includes Jake Gyllenhaal, James Marsden, Catherine Keener, Tracy Morgan, and Olivia Crocicchia. For now.

-David Morgan