Drama is ensuing on the set of “Madden.”
A supporting actor in the upcoming film starring Christian Bale and Nicolas Cage allegedly quit on Friday, just two weeks after production started, over David O. Russell’s alleged use of the N-word on set, TMZ reported on Wednesday.
Five members of the cast and crew reportedly told the outlet that director Russell, 66, allegedly uttered the racial slur while he was working with the unnamed actor on an impromptu monologue.
The actor and others were upset by Russell’s comment and walked off the set early that day, per TMZ.
But Amazon Studios sources told TMZ that it allegedly was the actor’s idea to include the N-word in the scene after a private creative conversation with Russell.
The source claimed that Russell didn’t say the slur when the scene was shot and the word didn’t make it to the final cut.
In addition, cast and crew sources told TMZ that the day before the alleged N-word incident, the same actor refused to shoot a nude scene in a locker room which allegedly upset Russell, who had an “unprofessional” reaction.
However, studios sources downplayed the alleged incident and claimed that an intimacy coordinator was there to help make the actor feel more comfortable.
“But the actor still had an issue,” said TMZ, “which is when David, calmly, said he didn’t have to be in the shot.”
The sources insisted that nudity wasn’t sprung on anyone working on the set.
Amazon, per the insiders, is having ongoing “conversations” with the actor about returning to production.
One person involved with the project told TMZ that production has been a “mess.” They claimed that “tensions were being exacerbated” by Bale, 51, and Cage, 61, choosing to do method acting in their lead roles.
Sources added that the two Oscar winners haven’t been involved in any “improper” incidents during shooting so far.
The Post has reached out to reps for Russell, Bale and Amazon Studios for comment. Reps for Cage couldn’t be reached.
“Madden” is starring Cage as Oakland Raiders coach-turned-legendary NFL broadcaster John Madden, while Bale is playing Raiders owner Al Davis.
Amazon shared a first-look photo of Cage and Bale as their “Madden” characters last week. The actors look unrecognizable while standing on a football field pointing their Super Bowl rings at the camera.
The studio said in a press release that the film “follows Madden’s remarkable journey — from his Super Bowl-winning partnership with Al Davis and the Raiders, to creating ‘Madden NFL,’ and becoming one of the most iconic voices in football history.”
The cast also includes John Mulaney as Electronic Arts (EA) founder Trip Hawkins, Kathryn Hahn as John’s wife, Virginia Madden, and Sienna Miller as Al’s wife, Carol Davis.
Russell — who was previously Oscar-nominated for “The Fighter,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle” — is directing and writing the “Madden” biopic. Cambron Clark wrote an earlier version of the script.
Russell has been at the center of controversy before. He was accused of sexual assault by his 19-year-old transgender niece in 2011. He denied the incident, according to Vulture.
He’s also been accused of bad behavior by actors George Clooney, Lily Tomlin and Amy Adams over the years. Per the New York Times, in 2003, he got into a physical fight with Christopher Nolan at a party in Hollywood. Nolan famously worked with Bale on their Batman trilogy.
