Director Todd Phillips, who is set to go into production on The Hangover Part III soon, has lined up his first dramatic project with a Paramount’s remake of The Gambler, taking over from Martin Scorsese, who was previously attached to helm..
The Departed’s William Monahan has written the screenplay, which follows a UCLA literature professor who has a serious gambling addiction and gets in trouble with gangsters. Earlier reports indicated that Leonardo DiCaprio was circling the lead role, but it isn’t known if he is still involved.
Irwin Winkler, who produced the original, is back on board as a producer. It is believed that this could be Todd Phillips’ next project after he wraps on The Hangover Part III, although that has not been confirmed. (Source: THR)