Robert Richardson Lensing David O. Russell’s ‘Madden’ — Likely Not Fincher’s ‘Once Upon A Time’ Sequel

Shout out to Sandy for the tip: The legendary Robert Richardson is currently behind the camera on David O. Russell’s Madden, which is in the thick of production right now.

Richardson, the three-time Oscar-winning cinematographer, whose work with Quentin Tarantino (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Kill Bill”), Martin Scorsese (“The Aviator,” “Casino”), and Oliver Stone (“JFK,” “Platoon”) has made him one of the most visually distinctive DPs in the game.

Russell hasn’t worked with Richardson before, making this collaboration one of the more intriguing director-DP pairings in recent memory. Expect “Madden” to have a visual identity that’s far more cinematic and stylized than your typical biopic fare.

I’m assuming Richardson won’t be behind the camera for Fincher’s ‘Once Upon a Time’ sequel shooting this summer, which means none of the original’s grainy lighting, long takes, the romantic, lush, sun-drenched, and lived-in nostalgia baked into every frame.

Fincher will probably have his go-to DP take over, that would be Erik Messerschmidt— cold, calculated, sterile. Digital. Precise. Quick-cut edits. Synthetic lighting schemes that intentionally strip away warmth. Fincher’s Los Angeles might be very different from Tarantino’s.

Is this a good idea? Fincher no doubt wants to carve his own own distinct vision when it comes to Cliff Booth’s story — having Messerschmidt aiding him with photography will do just that.