David O. Russell, the controversial director known as well for his epic temper tantrums as he is for his brilliant films like Three Kings and The Fighter, has quit the film adaptation of Sony's critically acclaimed adventure series over creative differences, sending Sony back to square one.
Deadline reports that Sony still wants to pursue the film, but with Russell leaving the project the studio is now searching for a new writer. Russell's departure raises speculation that lead actor Mark Wahlberg could also jump ship; it looks like the two are collaborating again soon on a flick called The Silver Linings Playbook. Now that Russell is free, the production on that project could be accelerated. Considering the chilly reception the Wahlberg casting received from the gaming community, perhaps that's not a bad thing.