For a number of years now, Paramount has been in possession of a script for the remake of the 1974 movie The Gambler. With Rupert Wyatt in the director’s chair and Mark Wahlberg cast in the leading role, this remake promises to be a crowd pleaser. The Gambler, which is based on the short novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, originally starred Paul Sorvino, Lauren Hutton and James Caan – the latter of which was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. The latest script for the new version has been written by William Monahan (The Departed and Rise of The Planet of The Apes) is being reworked for modern day audiences and already boasts a fairly impressive cast.

The film will more than likely follow the original storyline with a few changes here and there in order to refine the storyline. A lot has changed since 1974, and gambling does not only take place in brick and mortar casinos and through shady bookmakers, but at numerous international online gaming sites like Jackpotjoy, so it will be interesting to see what changes the remake brings. Mark Wahlberg takes on the role of a college literature professor whose gambling addiction takes over his life and finds his debts leading him to ‘befriend’ some nasty new characters. In the film, the gambler finds himself sinking further and further into debt at the cost of personal relationships and self-respect.

Cast as the wealthy and pretentious mother of Wahlberg’s character, veteran actress Jessica Lange who can currently be seen in the TV series American Horror Story, boasts a host of awards from the 1980’s including 6 Oscar nominations - one of which resulted in a win as Best Supporting Actress for her role in 1982’s Tootsie. Another household name to be featured in this upcoming movie is John Goodman. Recently starring in the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis, The Internship, Monster’s University and The Hangover Part III, Goodman plays the role of a Jewish loan shark to whom Wahlberg is indebted.

Also starring in the remake is Brie Larson, Michael K. Williams, Travis Tope and Leland Orser.

The film is currently awaiting a release date.

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