A month ago we reported that S. Craig Zahler’s next film as director was aiming to be ‘The Big Stone Grid‘, “film noir” with horror elements described as a cross between ‘Se7ven’ and ‘Marathon Man’. Written by the filmmaker himself, the project centers on two decorated New York City detectives who discover that a series of dangerous murderers have been blackmailed into committing all kinds of heinous crimes.
The filmmaker himself came forward to clarify that he was aiming to be the fifth, that he first wanted to make another film that he preferred not to talk about at the moment…
Now through Variety we get the official announcement that S. Craig Zahler’s fourth film will definitely be ‘The Bookie & the Bruiser’, a thriller also set in New York City in this case from 1959 that follows a thoughtful Jew named Rivner and an oversized Italian-American tough named Boscolo. After fighting together in World War II, they both returned home so changed that they no longer fit into the lives they had left behind.
Without any interest in taking orders from anyone or being guided by the rules of society, the two friends partner as bookmakers, creating an illicit gambling operation that is as profitable as it is risky. Of course, it won’t take long for them to get into trouble when, in this case, both a powerful Irish gang and the mafia come into play.
Vince Vaughn will collaborate with Zahler for the third time after having done so in ‘Brawl in Cell Block 99‘ and ‘Dragged Across Concrete‘, in a film that will co-star Adrien Brody (we assume giving life to Boscolo and Rivner, respectively).
Anthony Katagas and Dave Caplan will produce through Keep Your Head Productions, with C2 Motion Picture Group handling financing. For his part, Anton will be in charge of managing international sales during the “Marché du Film” parallel to the Cannes Festival that will begin next week.
‘The Bookie & the Bruiser’ It is currently in pre-production and is scheduled to film in the fall of 2024 with a view to its release sometime in 2025.
