David Fincher: A "Crotchety *******?"

[J_UNTITLED]

From The Playlist

"David Fincher has a reputation for being frank and *******-ish; one that doesn't suffer fools gladly. This assertion was propagated just recently when the director seemed rather aloof and stand-offish (or at least either really inarticulate or not wanting to answer questions) in a Q&A session after a screening of "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button."

The New York Post (via Vulture) says the testy director is not helping the film's chances with his "imperious ways," a difficult manner that has apparently put off Paramount (note: it's not the first time that it has been suggested that their relationship is strained; and it might be the reason why Paramount dumped his "Heavy Metal" project). The Post recaps his recent incidents:

"We are working our asses off trying to get Oscar nominations, and he is so abusive that it's crushing," said an insider at Paramount. "Whatever we do, it's not enough." After an LA screening, Fincher was rude to John Goldwyn, who was running Paramount in the early '90s when the movie, based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was first in development. After Goldwyn congratulated Fincher, "he hit Goldwyn in the chest with his hand and hurt him and said, 'That's for you, for not greenlighting the movie when you had a chance.' " The picture, which shows Brad Pitt aging backward, relies on computerized effects that didn't exist 15 years ago. Our insider said, "If we never hear the name David Fincher again, it will be too soon." A Paramount rep said Fincher was in Britain and couldn't be reached.

Not a total shocker, if you're read interviews with him over the years, you'll certainly catch his semi-abrasive vibe, but we know our pal Kurt Loder at MTV loves him so its not like he's without any manners. We digress. In related Fincher news, more details of his 'Untitled Chef Project' allegedly starring Keanu Reeves have come out via /Film who have done some nice digging.

The film project is from The Black List, an annual list of the year's Best screenplays that are compiled by over 150 executives and assistants (we have the 2007 edition and yes, its on there.

The synopsis is this: “A Michelin-level chef tries to make a comeback from major personal issues. He gathers his old friends together as his ‘dream team’ and ends up falling in love with the newest member of the group.” As /Film notes the screenplay is written by Steven Knight, the screenwriter behind "Dirty Pretty Things," "Eastern Promises," and Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Dennis Lehane adaptation "Shutter Island."

According to the '07 BlackList and /Film the project is now set up at Paramount, but if it is still indeed at Paramount and the Fincher/Paramount scuffle seems to be true (which it doesn't take a genius to figure out there's lots of truth to it), expect Fincher to not be part of this one. When the 2008 Black List is compiled, someone please send it to us. PS. /Film's EIC notes, things between Paramount and Fincher may have been patched up according to Kevin Eastman who is working on "Heavy Metal," but we wonder if this more recent Post news puts that posit in jeopardy. If 'Untitled Cooking' ends up at Paramount with Fincher we can assume they've kissed and made up. We'll see..."