After playing Napster guru Sean Parker in David Fincher's "The Social Network," it looks like Justin Timberlake is getting ready to go back online, only this time the roll of the dice will be for something other than MP3s.
Variety reports that Timberlake and Ben Affleck will star in the thriller "Runner, Runner" with "The Lincoln Lawyer" helmer Brad Furman to direct. Exact story and character details are not forthcoming just yet, but it will be set in the high stakes world of illegal online gambling. The script comes from writers David Levien and Brian Koppelman, no strangers to playing the odds. The duo wrote "Rounders" which also looked at gambling from another angle, but a lot has changed since 1998 when that film hit theaters. Online gambling has made it possible for almost anyone with an internet connection and some money to spend to make millions all while wearing jogging pants and devouring Cheetos.
It's a tantalizing project, though it remains to be seen when it will roll in front of cameras. Affleck will likely be in post/doing press for "Argo" as it heads into theaters this fall. Meanwhile, Timberlake is going back-to-back on the Coen Brothers "Inside Llewyn Davis" and is shooting "Trouble With The Curve" with Clint Eastwood this spring. Of everybody, Furman seems the most open with only a Pablo Escobar biopic brewing in the background. But hell, getting Affleck, Timberlake, Levien and Koppelman together is not a bad start at all. Furman directed a decent potboiler in 'Lawyer,' and this seems like another thriller that could be a cut above. Here's hoping it pulls together soon.
Justin Timberlake as an actor has really surprised me. I hope he surprises me yet again in this film.
I also read this story here:
http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/04/ben-affleck-and-justin-timberlake-star-online-gambling-film-runner-runner
It's apparently really cool to hate Justin Timberlake. I mean, he was once in a boy band! Fuck boy bands, right? Yeah!
I'm one of those who are willing to give actors a chance to prove themselfs, i wont go saying someone sucks because he was in a boy band or something similiar, or simply because i don't like the guy. So yeah, i saw the social network and justin was surprisingly good but then came friends with benefits and in time and he was obvi the weakest thing in both movies, there was no emotion shown ( In Time when he cries, remember that scene ? that was effin laughable) and he was straight up bad and i was like gtfo i dont want to see this douche ever acting again. I certainly dont mind weak actors being in weak movies. And then some time later he was confirmed for a movie with Coen bros and that shit broke my heart.
@kevin production will begin in June.
@haters Coen bros, David Fincher and Clint Eastwood think Justin Timberlake can act. You're entitled to your own opinion, I'd rather listen to them since, you know, they're AMAZING filmmakers. Thanks!
Genuine chops and screen presence? He's an on-screen vacuum of mediocrity.
When will Hollywood admit that Justin cannot act. Yes, he did good in Social Network and is funny on SNL, but that's it. In Time was the worst and he was a big part of it. If Ryan Gosling gave the performance that JT did in In Time, his career would be over. Oh well…
Timberlake's still acting? Make it stop.
Who keeps telling Timberlake he's a good actor and worse, why is he getting so many roles when there are so many other deserving candidates?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!