David O. Russell is on board to direct, “Shutout,” a new film centered on the world of pool hustling, with Robert De Niro and Jenna Ortega set to star. The project is generating strong interest ahead of the Cannes market.
The film tells the story of Jake Kejeune (De Niro), an aging pool hustler and one of the last practitioners of a dying art. After years spent chasing wins in smoky, underground halls, Jake crosses paths with Mia (Ortega), a fiercely talented newcomer whose passion reignites his own. Seeing the potential to shape the next great player, Jake becomes her mentor, guiding her through the high-stakes, cutthroat world of professional pool.
Based on a screenplay by Alejandro Adams, “Shutout” might get the usual rewrite from Russell, and I don’t believe it’ll be his next film considering he’s about to start production on “Madden,” starring Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale.
Russell, a five-time Oscar nominee, has five other projects currently in development; There’s his Linda Ronstadt biopic, with Selena Gomez, a Get Smart reboot, a FIFA limited series, the Sacha Baron Cohen led “Super Toys”, and “Bananas,” an Apple TV limited series starring Ana de Armas and Oscar Isaac.
How Russell keeps getting high-profile actors, let alone any work, in Hollywood these days is a damn-near miracle. Fact remains he has the connections to keep going, and loyal actors who keep wanting to work with him — this will be De Niro’s fifth collaboration with Russell.
So, it turns out there’s still some oxygen left in Russell’s brand of filmmaking; he’s consistently delivered critically acclaimed fare over the course of his 30-year career, films such as “Silver Linings Playbook”, “The Fighter”, “Three Kings”, “Flirting with Disaster” and” American Hustle” cemented his A-list status.
Russell’s last film, 2022’s “Amsterdam,” was savaged by critics, lost 20th Century over $100 million. but didn’t deserve the hate. Although it didn’t reinvent the wheel, it was a slightly fun, albeit messy, romp.