The Bookie and the Bruiser

[Cremildo]

Writer-director S. Craig Zahler (“Bone Tomahawk”) is set to reunite with his “Dragged Across Concrete” and “Brawl in Cell Block 99” star Vince Vaughn and Oscar winner Adrien Brody (“The Pianist”) for upcoming crime thriller “The Bookie & the Bruiser.”

Anton will introduce the film to international distributors at the upcoming Marche du Film in Cannes. UTA Independent Film Group and Range Media Partners arranged the financing and will be representing the North American distribution rights.

Set in 1959 New York, “The Bookie & the Bruiser” follows a pensive, Jewish fellow named Rivner and an oversized Italian-American tough named Boscolo from the Lower East Side, both of whom served overseas during WWII and returned changed men who no longer fit inside the lives they’d left behind. Uninterested in taking orders from bosses or playing by the rules of polite society, the two friends partner up as a bookmaker and an enforcer and create an illicit gambling operation that proves to be very profitable, though risky, and their situation gets rather sticky when they find themselves stuck between a powerful Irish gang and the Mafia. The film is currently in pre-production and is planned for a fall 2024 shoot. +

[Michael1989]

About damn time this man had a new film in the works

[OnlyJapantown]

Zahler loves the letter B. Great news that he's found funding for this.

I wish some of his other scripts were getting made by other directors. Michael Mann was supposed to do The Big Stone Grid at one point. Park Chan-Wook had Brigands of Rattleborge. In an ideal world Zahler would direct them all, but seeing others do them justice would also be great. The script for Fury of the Strongman is too good to never get made.

[Shogun MacArthur]

I'm always ready for more Zahler. Sounds like an awesome time, can't wait!

[sandboxgamer]

I'm a crime film junkie, so I'm glad to see S. Craig Zahler returning to the crime genre and that he's re-teaming with Vince Vaughn. It's been way too long since he directed a film. I thought Dragged Across Concrete was his best film so far, so I'm really looking forward to this.

[BloodshotUSA]

I was really hoping Zahler was doing "The Big Stone Grid" next. I read the script online and I was excited to see him bring that to life.

But anything Zahler does is a must see for me. He's been inactive way too long.

[OnlyJapantown]

Originally Posted by BloodshotUSA

I was really hoping Zahler was doing "The Big Stone Grid" next. I read the script online and I was excited to see him bring that to life.

But anything Zahler does is a must see for me. He's been inactive way too long.

He's been inactive as far as movies go (or at least hasn't managed to get anything made until now), but busy working on novels and comics. As you like his movies, I'd recommend any of his books as they're in a similar vein.

[Cremildo]

Production has been delayed to early 2025.

[HipsterTrash]

Not an update, sorry.

But I do wonder if Brody will stay on now that he's a recent Oscar winner.

[Cremildo]

Good question, as it's been rumored that Brody might land a role in Chazelle's Evel Knievel movie, which is bound to start shooting soonish.

[HipsterTrash]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Good question, as it's been rumored that Brody might land a role in Chazelle's Evel Knievel movie, which is bound to start shooting soonish.

Which I wonder who would replace him if he bounces?

Zahler films tend to appeal to different groups and I can imagine certain actors wishing to avoid controversy.

If Brody does leave, I hope Christopher Abbott is his replacement. He's a guy who I can see fitting in a Zahler film.

[Cremildo]

According to actor Fred Melamed, production has been pushed back to early 2026.

[OnlyJapantown]

Very concerning push-back. If it's down to Brody, frankly I'd rather they just got someone else.

[Cremildo]

Theo James replaces Brody

Theo James‘ upward trajectory looks to be continuing, with the “White Lotus” breakout and star of “The Gentlemen” joining upcoming gangster thriller “The Bookie & the Bruiser” alongside Vince Vaughn.

The film — which was first announced by Variety last year — sees James take over from Adrien Brody, with the recent Oscar winner for “The Brutalist” originally set to star.

[HipsterTrash]

Damn that's a loss. But if it means we get a Zahler film sooner, or at all, then I'm game.

[OnlyJapantown]

Originally Posted by OnlyJapantown

Very concerning push-back. If it's down to Brody, frankly I'd rather they just got someone else.

My wish was granted. Brody's a bit showy for my liking anyway.

[BloodshotUSA]

Had a feeling that this wasn't going to happen with Brody in the role. Why should Zahler wait while Brody chases a big payday? It's taken him long enough to get another movie going as it is and is Brody, even with a new Oscar, going to mean that much to the box office?

I actually like Theo James as the replacement here. He was really good in Netflix's The Gentlemen series.

[sandboxgamer]

I'm not shocked Adrian Brody left this project after winning his second Oscar, but I'm still bummed out by it. I’ve yet to see a film with Theo James that I’ve liked, so this is pretty disappointing casting news. S. Craig Zahler is a talented director, and I've been looking forward to this ever since it was announced a year ago. So hopefully this means they’ll be shooting soon.