The latest instalment in the global poker craze, is the revelation that a new Hollywood movie is currently being developed centred around the popular game of choice. The movie will be a comedy written and directed by Zak Penn, and will star some of the actors who are publicly known as keen poker players. Possibly the leading celebrity poker player, Ben Affleck will take on a lead role in the film, as will fellow enthusiast David Schwimmer.
Affleck, who famously won a tournament earlier in the year, and Schwimmer who has taken part in the TV Celebrity Poker Series created in the States, will be joined by more poker fans Richard Kind and Werner Herzog. Zak Penn has revealed himself as a huge poker fan, who has played the game since leaving high school. Apparently he has played poker with every cast member, except for William H Macy, who is the lone non player in the line up.
The film is to be shot at the Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas, and will be largely improvised. Each actor will be given a full character description, and scenes will be basically mapped out, then filled in with improvisation, producing a film in the style of a mockumentary. The budget for the film is an unusually small US$ 10 million, and Penn is apparently still looking for celebrity poker playing fans to join the cast.
