The American Film Institute announced today that Paramount Pictures’ The Gambler, starring Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter), will have its premiere at their very own AFI Fest on Monday, November 10th. A remake of the 1974 film starring James Caan (The Godfather), the story follows Wahlberg as Jim Bennett, a high-stakes gambler and literature professor, who entangles himself in a web of gangsters, loan sharks, and a slew of dysfunctional relationships after putting up his own life as collateral.
Academy Award-winner William Monahan (The Departed) penned the script, while Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) directed. The film also stars Jessica Lange (Big Fish), John Goodman (The Big Lebowski), Brie Larson (Short Term 12), and Michael K. Williams (12 Years a Slave), and is slated for release on December 19th.
At AFI Fest the film will premiere amidst several other highly anticipated films. J.C. Chandor’s A Most Violent Year will open the festival with its world premiere, while Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher will close the festivities after a Wednesday-night tribute to Sophia Loren (Two Women).
The Gambler is just one film on the long list of projects Wahlberg has in the works, including a pair of sequels to past successes – Ted 2 and the rumored The Fighter 2 – as well as feature film version of the hit HBO show he helped produce, Entourage. Until then, we will see him in the Monahan-scripteded film Mojave alongside Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), expected later this year. Wahlberg’s co-star Jessica Lange can currently be seen pursuing another possibly Emmy victory for her character on FX’s American Horror Story, while John Goodman will soon appear alongside Bryan Cranston (Argo) in Trumbo. Brie Larson will be acting in Amy Schumer’s comedy ensemble Trainwreck, and Michael K. Williams will be seen alongside Joaquin Phoenix (Her) in Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming Inherent Vice.
Leave a Comment