A new film titled Shutout is set to bring together an intriguing pairing, with Jenna Ortega and Robert De Niro attached to star under the direction of David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter, Three Kings).
Announced ahead of the 2024 Cannes Film Market, Shutout will mark a reunion between De Niro and Russell, whose past collaborations include Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and Joy. The upcoming feature is described as a “propulsive” romantic drama set in the cutthroat world of competitive pool hustling.
The film will follow Jake Kejeune (De Niro), a seasoned pool hustler from a bygone era, who discovers raw talent and ambition in Mia (Ortega), a prodigious young player with a fire to win. What begins as mentorship quickly spirals into a tension-filled journey through smoky backrooms and high-stakes tournaments, where both stand to lose more than just games.
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The script comes from Alejandro Adams, with Russell producing alongside Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum of RK Films, and Mark Bomback.
“We’re delighted to be collaborating with the acclaimed director David O. Russell and the legendary Robert De Niro, and especially excited to see Jenna step into the spotlight alongside these two cinematic icons,” RK Films’ Jeff Kirschenbaum said in a statement. “It’s a rare and thrilling opportunity to support such a high-caliber team coming together to tell a compelling story — a lineup so precise, it feels like the perfect break.”
Shutout is being introduced to international buyers at the Cannes Market by Black Bear, with CAA Media Finance handling U.S. rights.
Ortega, coming off the success of Wednesday, Scream, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, continues to carve out high-profile roles across film and television. Her upcoming projects include Wednesday season 2, psychological thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow (also starring The Weeknd and Barry Keoghan), and the Taika Waititi-directed sci-fi film Klara and the Sun.
De Niro, meanwhile, adds Shutout to a slate that recently included Killers of the Flower Moon and Netflix series Zero Day. His upcoming films include action-thriller Tin Soldier, also starring Jamie Foxx and Scott Eastwood.
Production timelines and release details are yet to be announced, though the project’s pedigree and cast have already placed it among the most talked-about projects heading to Cannes.
