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VICE (2018) About The Director and Cast

David the Bruce • Dec 11, 2018

ADAM MCKAY with cast CHRISTIAN BALE, AMY ADAMS, STEVE CARELL, and SAM ROCKWELL

Writer/Director/Producer ADAM MCKAY with cast CHRISTIAN BALE (Dick Cheney), AMY ADAMS (Lynne Cheney, STEVE CARELL (Donald Rumsfeld), and SAM ROCKWELL (George W. Bush)

ADAM MCKAY (Writer/Director/Producer) is an Academy Award winning writer/director/producer who's made his name in the comedy world as a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade. In 1995, McKay and Will Ferrell happened to start on the same day at SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE where McKay remained for six years and became Head Writer.

McKay and Ferrell's time led to successful collaborations that established their unique absurdist style on the now classic ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY (2004) followed by the hit TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY (2006). Since forming their company Gary Sanchez Productions in 2006, McKay has consistently entertained audiences worldwide with a string of movies he has written (often with Ferrell) and directed including STEP BROTHERS (2008), THE OTHER GUYS (2010) and ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (2013). He has also produced numerous others including hits GET HARD (2015), DADDY'S HOME (2015), DADDY'S HOME 2 (2017) and independent titles such as WELCOME TO ME (2015).

In 2015, McKay and Charles Randolph adapted Michael Lewis's New York Times best-selling book The Big Short about the financial crisis of 2007/2008. Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt THE BIG SHORT went on to receive much critical acclaim as well as Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture and won the 2016 PGA for Best Picture. McKay earned Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for Best Director, and he and Randolph won Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards, BAFTA, WGA and USC Scripter Awards.

In 2017, McKay executive produced and directed HBO pilot SUCCESSION. Written by Jesse Armstrong, the critically-acclaimed ten-episode series (renewed for a second season) follows the saga of the Roy's, a fictional American global-media family that is not only rich and powerful but dysfunctional. McKay serves as executive producer on the Hulu series I LOVE YOU, AMERICA hosted by Sarah Silverman.

Upcoming feature film projects include BAD BLOOD with Jennifer Lawrence starring as "Elizabeth Holmes," founder of the controversial blood-test company Theranos as well as IRREDEEMABLE, a Boom! Comics comic book adaptation.

*****

CHRISTIAN BALE (Dick Cheney) was born in Wales and grew up in England and the United States. He made his film debut in Steven Spielberg's World War II epic EMPIRE OF THE SUN. Bale's work to date includes HENRY V, THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY, THE SECRET AGENT, METROLAND, VELVET GOLDMINE, ALL THE LITTLE ANIMALS, AMERICAN PSYCHO, LAUREL CANYON, THE MACHINIST, BATMAN BEGINS, THE NEW WORLD, THE PRESTIGE, HARSH TIMES, RESCUE DAWN, 3:10 TO YUMA, I'M NOT THERE, THE DARK KNIGHT, PUBLIC ENEMIES, THE FIGHTER, FLOWERS OF WAR, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, OUT OF THE FURNACE, AMERICAN HUSTLE, EXODUS, THE BIG SHORT, KNIGHT OF CUPS, THE PROMISE and HOSTILES.

Upcoming, Bale co-stars in the CGI live action film MOWGLI directed by Andy Serkis and he most recently completed shooting THE UNTITLED JAMES MANGOLD FILM.

*****

AMY ADAMS (Lynne Cheney) five-time Academy Award nominated and two-time Golden Globe winning actress, Adams has built an impressive body of work, challenging herself with each new role.

Adams can most recently be seen in HBO's high-profile drama series SHARP OBJECTS in which she starred and executive produced, with Jean-Marc Vallee at the helm as director. Based on Gillian Flynn's New York Times Best Selling book of the same name, the series centers on a reporter (Adams) who confronts the psychological demons from her past when she returns to her hometown to cover a violent murder. The series, which was Adams debut as an executive producer, was released in July 2018.

Adams recently wrapped production on WOMAN IN THE WINDOW alongside Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore, which FOX will release in October 2019.

Previously, Adams starred in Denis Villeneuve's 2016 film ARRIVAL opposite Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker. Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, the film follows the story of an expert linguist (Adams), who is recruited by the military to determine whether the aliens come in peace or are a threat. For her role, Adams has been nominated for a Critics' Choice award, Screen Actors Guild award and Golden Globes award in the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama. In addition, she has been named Best Actress by the National Board of Review on behalf of the film. Paramount Pictures released the film November 11, 2016. The film to date has grossed roughly $200,000,000 worldwide.

In 2017, Adams was seen in JUSTICE LEAGUE in which she reprised her role as Lois Lane opposite Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot. Directed by Zack Snyder, the DC film was released by Warner Bros. November 17, 2017. In 2016, Adams starred in Tom Ford's NOCTURNAL ANIMALS opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. The film, based on Austin Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan was released by Focus Features on November 18, 2016. Adams also appeared in BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, the sequel to the highly successful MAN OF STEEL which was released in 2013. She reprised her role of Lois Lane opposite Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman; The film was released by Warner Bros. on March 25, 2016.

Additional film credits include starring in Tim Burton's BIG EYES opposite Christoph Waltz. The film tells the real-life story of the iconic couple (Adams and Waltz) who found immense success marketing paintings of large eyed children back in the 1950s and 1960s, with Walter taking the credit for his shy wife's creations. Adams won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy and earned a BAFTA nomination for the performance. The Weinstein Company released the film December 25, 2014.

Adams starred in David O. Russell's AMERICAN HUSTLE opposite Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner. The film was released December 18, 2013 by Columbia Pictures. Adams won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, a Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for her performance in the film. Adams' role also garnered her fifth Academy Award nomination and BAFTA nomination. Adams was also recently seen in Spike Jonze's HER opposite Joaquin Phoenix which was released by Warner Bros. December 18, 2013.

Adams previously starred in Paul Thomas Anderson's THE MASTER opposite Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The 1950s-set drama centers on the relationship between a charismatic intellectual known as "The Master" whose faith-based organization begins to catch on in America, and a young drifter who becomes his right-hand man. Adams plays Peggy Dodd, the wife of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Adams' role garnered her a Golden Globe and BAFTA nomination in addition to her fourth Academy Award nomination.

In summer of 2012, Adams played the "Baker's Wife" in INTO THE WOODS as part of Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte.

Adams starred in David O. Russell's THE FIGHTER opposite Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. Adams played Charlene, a tough, gritty bartender from Massachusetts who begins dating boxer "Irish" Micky Ward (Wahlberg). The film revolves around Ward and trainer-brother Dicky Eklund (Bale), chronicling their early days in Massachusetts, through Eklund's battle with drugs and Ward's eventual world championship in London. Adams' role garnered her Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA nominations as well as her third Oscar nomination in five years. Adams also starred in Nora Ephron's JULIE & JULIA, reuniting with costar Meryl Streep, having previously starred opposite Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman in John Patrick Shanley's Oscar nominated film DOUBT which earned Adams her second Academy Award nomination.

Adams starred in Kevin Lima's ENCHANTED opposite Patrick Dempsey and Susan Sarandon, which is a romantic fable that mixes live action with CG animation for Disney. The film was released November 21, 2007 and grossed over $300 million worldwide and earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

It was Adams' role in Phil Morrison's JUNEBUG in 2005 in which she earned her first Academy Award and SAG nominations. She won an Independent Spirit Award, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, National Society of Film Critics Award, San Francisco Film Critics Society Award and the Breakthrough Gotham Award for her role. Adams also won the Special Jury Prize for Acting at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival for her role as the pregnant, childlike Ashley, who is awe-struck by the arrival of her glamorous sister-in-law.

Adams' other film credits include Robert Lorenz's TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE opposite Clint Eastwood; Walter Salle's adaptation of Jack Kerouac's seminal beat generation novel ON THE ROAD; Disney's THE MUPPETS opposite Jason Segal; Shawn Levy's NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2: BATTLE AT THE SMITHSONIAN opposite Ben Stiller; Christine Jeffs and Karen Moncrieff's critically acclaimed film SUNSHINE CLEANING opposite Emily Blunt and Alan Arkin; Mike Nichols' CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR opposite Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman; Bharat Nalluri's MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY opposite Frances McDormand; and Steven Spielberg's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN with Leonardo DiCaprio.

*****

STEVE CARELL (Donald Rumsfeld) Academy Award-nominated actor Carell has established himself as a multi-talented force in Hollywood. First gaining recognition for his contributions as a correspondent on Comedy Central's Emmy Award-winning THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, Carell has successfully segued from the small screen to above-the-title status on the big screen, both in big budget films and arthouse indies.

Carell can currently be seen opposite Timothee Chalamet in Amazon Studios' BEAUTIFUL BOY for director Felix van Groeningen. Based on the best-selling pair of memoirs from father and son David and Nic Sheff, the film chronicles the heartbreaking and inspiring experience of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family coping with addiction over many years. The film was released on October 12, 2018 by Amazon Studios.

Additionally, Carell will star in Robert Zemeckis' WELCOME TO MARWEN which tells the true story of Mark Hogencamp, a victim of a violent assault who constructs a miniature World War II village in his yard to help his recovery. Based on the 2010 documentary MARWENCOL and starring Leslie Mann, Merritt Weave and Janelle Monae, Universal Pictures will release the 28 film on December 21, 2018.

In September 2017, Carell starred opposite Emma Stone in BATTLE OF THE SEXES, helmed by the LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE directing duo Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris with a script by Academy Award Winner Simon Beaufoy. The Fox Searchlight film centered on the 1973 epic tennis match between Billie Jean King (Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Carell). Carell was nominated for a Golden Globe award and Screen Actors Guild award for his role as Riggs. The following month, Carell starred in the film adaptation of Darryl Ponicsan's novel LAST FLAG FLYING opposite Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne. Directed by Richard Linklater, the three play old friends and Navy Officers who meet up to help 'Larry Meadows' (Carell) bring home the body of his deceased son, killed in the Iraq war. Amazon Studios released the film.

Carell lent his vocal talents in the animated feature DESPICABLE ME in 2010, as the lead role of 'Gru.' The international smash hit led to a sequel in 2013 with DESPICABLE ME 2. After reprising his role, Carell returned for the third film in June 2017 as the voices for both 'Gru' and his long-lost twin brother 'Dru' in DESPICABLE ME 3.

In 2016, Carell starred in Woody Allen's CAFÉ SOCIETY opposite Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg and Corey Stoll. Allen served as the director and writer of the feature, produced by Letty Aronson, Steve Tenenbaum and Edward Walson. The film had its world premiere at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Carell previously worked with Woody Allen on his 2004 film MELINDA AND MELINDA.

In 2015, Carell starred in Paramount's Academy Award-nominated film THE BIG SHORT, for which he received an individual Golden Globe nomination for his performance as real-life money manager Mark Baum. The film was recognized with nominations for SAG Best Ensemble and a Golden Globe for Motion Picture Comedy. Previously, Carell starred opposite Julianne Moore and Ellen Page in Peter Sollett's FREEHELD.

In 2014, Carell starred as "John du Pont," alongside Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum and Vanessa Redgrave in Bennett Miller's Oscar-nominated film FOXCATCHER. For his revelatory performance, Carell received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama.

Carell's first leading role in a feature film was THE-40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, which he cowrote with director Judd Apatow. The film became a worldwide box-office sensation in 2005and was honored with an AFI Award as one of 10 Most Outstanding Motion Pictures of the Year. The film also earned Carell and Apatow a co-nomination for Best Original Screenplay by the WGA.

Carell played the lead role of "Maxwell Smart" GET SMART opposite Anne Hathaway and Alan Arkin, for director Peter Segal. Carell was part of the ensemble of the acclaimed LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture and won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Carell also starred in CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE opposite Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone, which was produced by his production company, Carousel Productions.

Additional film credits include SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD opposite Keira Knightly; HOPE SPRINGS opposite Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones; THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE opposite Jim Carrey and Steve Buscemi; THE WAY, WAY BACK opposite Toni Collette and Allison Janney; ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY opposite Jennifer Garner; and ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY and ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES opposite Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate and Paul Rudd. Additional vocal work includes "The Mayor of Whoville" in DR. SEUSS'S HORTON HEARS A WHO! opposite Jim Carrey and "Hammy" in OVER THE HEDGE for Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures.

On the small screen, Carell completed an eight-year run playing the pompous boss "Michael Scott" on the Emmy-nominated NBC comedy THE OFFICE, adapted from Ricky Gervais' acclaimed British series of the same name. For the role, Carell was nominated for six Emmy awards for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy. Carell was also nominated four times for a SAG award and won two as part of the show's ensemble.

In 2016, Carell and his wife Nancy premiered two seasons of a TBS police comedy series they created ANGIE TRIBECA starring Rashida Jones. Carell serves as executive producer, writer and director on the show, which is produced under Carousel Productions. The third season debuted on April 10, 2017.

Born in Massachusetts, Carell resides in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Nancy Carell (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE). He is a proud father of a daughter and a son.

*****

SAM ROCKWELL (George W. Bush) Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell has established himself as one of the most versatile actors of his generation with an array of emotionally searing and complex roles defining his body of work.

Rockwell won the Academy Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics Choice, and Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI, opposite Frances McDormand. He was also additionally nominated for, or won, over thirty-seven critics groups globally for his brilliant portrayal of Officer Dixon, a bad cop who stumbles towards redemption as he tries to help Mildred (McDormand) avenge her daughter's tragic murder.

Later this year, Rockwell will be seen in a multitude of upcoming buzzworthy titles, including THE BEST OF ENEMIES opposite Taraji P. Henson and will also lend his voice to THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN opposite Angelina Jolie and Bryan Cranston.

Rockwell was recently set to star in FX's Bob Fosse limited series opposite Michelle Williams with Lin-Manuel Miranda producing. The untitled eight-part series is based on the life of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon and their romantic and creative partnership. Nicole Fosse, daughter of Fosse and Verdon, serves as co-executive producer. Production on the series is slated to begin in the fall with the show set to launch in 2019.

Rockwell is known for his standout leading performances in an array of noteworthy films, including George Clooney's CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, which he received a Silver Berlin Bear Award for Best Actor at the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival; Ridley Scott's MATCHSTICK MEN; and SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS opposite Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell and Christopher Walken, which earned him a 2013 Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male. This was followed with a 2014 Critics' Choice nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy from his heartfelt performance in Nat Faxon and Jim Rash's coming of age comedy THE WAY, WAY BACK.

Rockwell has also appeared in several critically acclaimed films including Ron Howard's Academy Award nominated film FROST/NIXON opposite Frank Langella and Michael Sheen; Andrew Dominik's THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD alongside Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck; as well as Frank Darabont's Academy Award nominated drama THE GREEN MILE opposite Tom Hanks.

Recent credits include Susanna White's 19th century period drama WOMAN WALKS AHEAD opposite Jessica Chastain; Gil Kenan's remake of the 1982 horror classic POLTERGEIST opposite Rosemarie DeWitt; Paco Cabezas's MR. RIGHT opposite Anna Kendrick; Jared Hess's DON VERDEAN opposite Will Forte and Danny McBride; Joe Swanberg's DIGGING FOR FIRE alongside Jake Johnson and Rosemarie DeWitt; and Lynn Shelton's LAGGIES opposite Keira Knightley. He has additionally appeared in several groundbreaking studio pictures including Jon Favreau's IRON MAN 2; the high-octane film adaption of the original 1970s television series CHARLIE'S ANGELS; and Steve Barron's blockbuster TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES.

Other notable film credits include Jon Favreau's COWBOYS & ALIENS alongside Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig; Tony Goldwyn's CONVICTION opposite Hillary Swank; Kirk Jones's EVERYBODY'S FINE alongside Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore and Kate Beckinsale; Hoyt Yeatman's animated film G-FORCE alongside Bill Nighy, Will Arnett and Zach Galifianakis; Garth Jennings's HITCHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY; Russo Brother's caper comedy WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD alongside William H. Macy; Duncan Jones's MOON; David Mamet's HEIST alongside Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito; Dean Parisot's GALAXY QUEST alongside Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman; Michael Hoffman's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM alongside Kevin Kline and Michelle Pfeiffer; Woody Allen's CELEBRITY; Saul Rubinek's JERRY AND TOM opposite Joe Mantegna; John Duigan's LAWN DOGS opposite Mischa Barton; and his feature film debut in Victor Salva's slasher CLOWNHOUSE.

Not only is Rockwell a star on screen, he has owned the stage in a number of theatrical productions, including his most recent performance in Sam Shepherd's Broadway play FOOL FOR LOVE alongside Nina Arianda. Additional stage credits include Martin McDonagh's critically acclaimed Broadway production of A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE opposite Christopher Walken; the world premiere of Stephen Adly Guirgis' THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman; and the off-Broadway production of Mike Leigh's fiercely comic GOOSE-PIMPLES. His love for theater first began while performing multiple productions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival including A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE directed by David Cromer, THE DUMB WAITER directed by Joe Mantello, and the revival of Lanford Wilson's long- running off-Broadway hit HOT L BALTIMORE.

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