'American Hustle' Duo Bradley Cooper & Christian Bale to Re-Team for MGM-Amazon New Spy Thriller, 'Best of Enemies'

by Darian Scalamoni

    American Hustle is truly one of my absolute favorite movies of the past 10 years. The partnership of Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale on screen (along with the rest of the terrific ensemble) led to a recipe for success, so much so, that the two Oscar darlings are re-teaming for a new project entirely.

    According to an exclusive from Deadline, Amazon and MGM Studios have won out for Best of Enemies, an adaptation of the novel of the same name to star both Cooper (A Star is Born) and Bale (The Dark Knight). Eric Warren Singer, whose previous works include Top Gun: Maverick, Only the Brave, and ironically, American Hustle will write the script. The film currently does not have a director.

    Best of Enemies was a highly coveted project, with Amazon/MGM winning out above seven other bidders for the movie. The deal was said to be high-seven figures with Amazon edging out Warner Bros. It's expected to get a theatrical release. The film is based on the book: Best of Enemies: The Last Great Spy Story of the Cold War, which was written by Eric Dezenhall and Ryan Sanak.

    The book follows CIA agent Jack Platt, set to be played by Cooper, and KGB agent Gennady Vasilenko, played by Bale, as a pair of Cold War spies who develop an unlikely friendship, despite it being the most divided time in war. They surprisingly grew to establish strong personal ties despite originally being sent into the war to invoke the other to disobey their country. Bradley Cooper has also been eyed for Best of Enemies to potentially be his next project to direct but that's not finalized as of now.