Rumors have been circulating for months that a handful of daytime stars would be appearing in the upcoming David O. Russell film Joy, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro. Soap Central first mentioned the possibility back in January. And now it's been confirmed: soap opera favorites like Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane, All My Children), Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital), and Laura Wright (Carly Jacks, GH) are indeed featured in the highly anticipated flick.
During a Q&A about the film, which stars Lawrence as a single mom mop inventor and entrepreneur, Russell spoke about the role soap operas have in Joy, already said to be a strong contender for the Best Picture award. "Her mother did watch soap operas," he reveals about the character's backstory and why a fictional daytime series frames the main story. "What makes up the movie is her mother's [obsession with] soap operas, her father's metal garage, her Latin husband, and the Emerald City of Lancaster PA, we treat it like MGM."
To play the soap opera scenes, Russell brought in a slew of daytime icons including Lucci, Benard, Wright, and Donna Mills (Madeline Reeves, GH; ex-Abby Ewing, Knots Landing).
Joy premieres in select theaters on Friday, December 25.
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