Idris Elba has signed up to co-star alongside Jessica Chastain in acclaimed writer Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, “Molly’s Game,” which he also wrote.
An adaptation of Molly Bloom’s memoir, the story chronicles the author’s journey in building one of the most exclusive, high-stakes underground poker games in the world – “an insider’s story of excess and danger, glamour and greed,” as Amazon describes to book.
“In the late 2000s, Molly Bloom, a twenty-something from Loveland Colorado, ran the highest stakes, most exclusive poker game Hollywood had ever seen. Everyone wanted in, few were invited to play. Hundreds of millions of dollars were won and lost at her table. Molly’s game became the game for those in the know—celebrities, business moguls, and millionaires. Molly staged her games in palatial suites with beautiful views and exquisite amenities. She flew privately, dined at exclusive restaurants, hobnobbed with the heads of Hollywood studios, was courted by handsome leading men, and was privy to the world’s most delicious gossip, until it all came crashing down around her. ”
Of course Chastain will play Bloom, while Elba will play her criminal defense lawyer, her only true ally throughout the ordeal, especially during the aftermath. He comes to see more to Molly than the vacuous headlines about her extravagant life suggest.
Said Sorkin: “The casting of Jessica and Idris in the two lead roles is any filmmaker’s dream come true. They’re two of the greatest actors of their generation, paired for the first time, and their chemistry will be electric.”
I’m looking forward to this; the writing of Sorkin (based on compelling source material) plus the talents of Chastain and Elba should be a win. This could be an awards season contender. We’ll see.
The project is heading to the Cannes film market where WME Global and CAA will shop the package to distributors.
eOne and The Mark Gordon Company are financing.
Gordon is also producing with Amy Pascal, via her Pascal Pictures.
Leopoldo Gout is executive producer.
Elba’s certainly been busy – maybe more-so lately, especially in high profile projects like this one. On his slate are playing the lead role in the adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series, as well as in a six-part limited series from John Ridley about black radicals in 1970s London, titled “Guerrilla.”
