Molly's Game

Kevin Costner has been spotted around Hollywood limbering up his mouth muscles, practicing his walk-and-talk, and getting comfortable with the phrase “I’m really quite something,” all of which can only mean one thing: He’s in negotiations for a role in Aaron Sorkin’s upcoming directorial debut, Molly’s Game. And while none of that first part is, strictly speaking, “true,” that second part sure is. (According to a new exclusive from Deadline, at least.)

Aaron Sorkin, Oscar-winning screenwriter behind The Social Network and Steve Jobs, is making his directorial debut with an adaptation of Molly Bloom’s memoir Molly’s Game, From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker. Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba have already signed on to the film, and now it looks like Michael Cera is throwing his hat in the ring.

There’s a bit of mixed news today regarding Molly’s Game, Aaron Sorkin’s long-developing true-life poker drama. First, the great news: Professional Cool Person Idris Elba is in talks to join Jessica Chastain in the upcoming film, with Chastain in negotiations for the eponymous lead role. And in less great news: Sony has dropped out of the project, leaving Sorkin without a distributor.

After years of earning acclaim for his screenwriting skills (though he was weirdly snubbed by the 2016 Oscars for Steve Jobs), Aaron Sorkin is set to make his directorial debut on Molly’s Game. Set in the underground world of high-stakes poker, Sorkin’s long-developing passion project features a strong leading role for the right woman — and that woman might just be Jessica Chastain.

After years of earning praise and accolades for his writing work on shows like The West Wing and The Newsroom, and with films like The Social Network and last year's Steve Jobs, Aaron Sorkin is finally set to direct his own feature film. The acclaimed screenwriter is stepping away from politics and technology for Molly's Game, based on the memoir by Molly Bloom.