Golden Globe nominee Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) and Oscar winner Robert De Niro (Killers of the Flower Moon) have signed on for the leading roles in the upcoming pool hustling drama, Shutout. The project hails from acclaimed filmmaker David O. Russell (American Hustle, The Fighter). This marks De Niro’s latest collaboration with Russell after working together in 2015’s Jennifer Lawrence-led comedy-drama Joy.
What is the new David O. Russell movie about?
“The film follows Jake Kejeune (De Niro), one of the last masters of a vanishing craft — the pool hustler. Having lived and lost by the roll of a ball in smoky backroom halls, Jake encounters Mia (Ortega), a young prodigy whose raw, electrifying talent reignites a fire he thought long extinguished,” reads the official synopsis. “Sensing a rare opportunity to shape a legend, Jake takes Mia under his wing, honing her instincts and sharpening her natural gift. Together, they plunge into the ruthless world of high-stakes pool, where the line between unimaginable fortune and devastating failure is razor-thin. As Mia’s star ascends and her ambition grows, Jake must confront the ultimate question: can he steer her to greatness, or will her hunger for victory eclipse everything he has taught her?”
Shutout will be directed by Russell from a screenplay written by Alejandro Adams. The movie will be produced by Russell, Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Mark Bomback. Meanwhile, Black Bear will officially introduce the project to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Market, with CAA Media Finance handling its U.S. rights.
“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,” Kirschenbaum said in a statement. “It’s a rare and thrilling opportunity to support such a high-caliber team coming together to tell a compelling story — a lineup so precise, it feels like the perfect break.”
