David O Russell to direct Robert De Niro and Jenna Ortega in ‘Shutout’
David O Russell is set to direct Robert De Niro and Jenna Ortega in an upcoming movie titled Shutout.
The film will follow the character of Jake Kejeune, played by De Niro, who is the master of the dying art of pool hustling. He then meets Mia, played by Ortega – a young, unfiltered talent in whom he sees the opportunity to shape into a protégé, and together they begin to rise the ranks of high-stakes pool.
However, as Mia’s status grows, Jake must grapple with the conundrum of allowing her to flourish or risk her eclipsing his own renown in the world of pool playing, according to Deadline.
Shutout will mark a return collaboration between Russell and De Niro, whom he previously directed in the critically acclaimed Silver Linings Playbook, alongside Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, back in 2012.
For Ortega, it comes as she is well and truly rising in the Hollywood ranks, off the back of her lead role in Netflix hit Wednesday and most recent A24 comedy Death of a Unicorn opposite Paul Rudd.
The film will be produced by RK Films’ Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum, the latter of whom said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with the acclaimed director David O Russell and the legendary Robert De Niro, and especially excited to see Jenna step into the spotlight alongside these two cinematic icons.”
He continued: “It’s a rare and thrilling opportunity to support such a high-calibre team coming together to tell a compelling story — a lineup so precise, it feels like the perfect break.”
Shutout will open to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Market, and as such, further details on casting and a release date have not yet been announced.
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