"Fast and Furious" star John Oritz has joined the cast of David O. Russell's "The Silver Linings Playbook," which the Weinstein Co. will distribute.
Bradley Cooper stars as a former high school teacher who's institutionalized for depression and then released into the care of his mother, played by Jacki Weaver of "Animal Kingdom" fame. He tries to win back his ex-wife but becomes involved with an eccentric neighbor with problems of her own. Jennifer Lawrence is set to play the neighbor, while Robert De Niro will play Cooper's father. Chris Tucker and Julia Stiles co-star as Cooper's spirited friend and Lawrence's older sister, respectively.
Ortiz will play Cooper's childhood best friend, who still lives near his parents' home.
Harvey Weinstein is producing Russell's adaptation of Matthew Quick's novel.
Ortiz, who's coming off an Indie Spirit Award nomination for his perf in Philip Seymour Hoffman's "Jack Goes Boating," will soon be seen alongside Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte in Michael Mann and David Milch's upcoming HBO series "Luck." Thesp previously appeared in Mann's "Public Enemies" and "Miami Vice."
Ortiz is repped by Gersh, Sanders Armstrong Caserta Management and attorney Ira Schreck.
Contact Jeff Sneider at
jeff.sneider@variety.com