Jessica Chastain has worked with a staggering array of major talent — Terrence Malick, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Jeff Nichols, and many more — but one thing the actress has yet to tackle is a script by Aaron Sorkin. But that chance is now crossing her desk.
The Wrap reports that the actress has been offered the lead role in "Molly’s Game," which will also be Sorkin’s directorial debut. Based on the book by Molly Bloom, the true story tale will detail how an athlete and law student wound up running an exclusive high-stakes Hollywood poker game, with players including Ben Affleck and Tobey Maguire….and, unbeknownst to her, members of the Russian mafia. Here’s the book synopsis:
Molly Bloom reveals how she built one of the most exclusive, high-stakes underground poker games in the world—an insider’s story of excess and danger, glamour and greed.
In the late 2000s, Molly Bloom, a twentysomething petite brunette from Loveland Colorado, ran the highest stakes, most exclusive poker game Hollywood had ever seen—she was its mistress, its lion tamer, its agent, and its oxygen. Everyone wanted in, few were invited to play.
Hundreds of millions of dollars were won and lost at her table. Molly’s game became the game for those in the know—celebrities, business moguls, and millionaires. Molly staged her games in palatial suites with beautiful views and exquisite amenities. She flew privately, dined at exclusive restaurants, hobnobbed with the heads of Hollywood studios, was courted by handsome leading men, and was privy to the world’s most delicious gossip, until it all came crashing down around her.
Molly’s Game is a behind the scenes look at Molly’s game, the life she created, the life she lost, and what she learned in the process.
No word yet on when this will lens, but apparently Chastain is trying to figure out a way to make this work with her schedule, and it’s understandable, given that it sounds like a great part in a terrific story. And certainly, Sorkin and Sony couldn’t ask for a better lead. So hopefully, the cards get dealt the right way and this all comes together.
