Russell Crowe’s Poker Face Set for Release in November
November 16th has been announced as the release date of Russell Crowe’s anticipated thriller movie, Poker Face. The Australian actor, best known for the multi-Oscar-winning Gladiator, co-wrote this poker-themed script and directed the film. He also stars as the lead actor. Crowe is backed by a strong cast.
Liam Hemsworth – known for his roles in The Hunger Games and Independence Day: Resurgence – is amongst the supporting actors. American rapper and record producer RZA plays a part as does actress Elsa Pataky. Her previous credits include the Fast & Furious franchise and Snakes on a Plane.
Russell Crowe leads the cast in the 2022 thriller movie, Poker Face. ©BrookRushton/ScreenMedia
According to its producers, Poker Face is “set in the world of high stakes poker.” In the movie, Crowe stars as tech billionaire and gambler Jake Foley who gives his best friends a night they will never forget – a chance to win more money than they have ever dreamed of.
A media release by Screen Media, the company with the movie rights in North America, further explains: “But to play, they’ll have to give up the one thing they spend their lives trying to keep …their secrets. As the game unfolds, the friends will discover what is really at stake.”
Australia Has Its Smiling Poker Faces
The new movie was filmed on location in New South Wales, Australia. Much of the cast – including Crowe, Hemsworth, Jacqueline McKenzie and Matt Nable – are Australian. However, according to the IMDb website, Poker Face depicts its storyline as taking place in Miami, Florida.
Amongst the more spectacular locations used for filming the movie is Crown Sydney. Completed in December 2020, this skyscraper complex comprises of apartments, a hotel and a casino. Some poker-playing scenes may have been filmed in the venue which, interestingly, does not have a designated poker room.
An Australian did win the World Series of Poker Main Event during poker’s boom years. Joe Hachem took the title in 2005. More recently, Michael Addamo has become the country’s top earner and brightest star. A month ago, the 28-year-old landed a $50,000 entry No Limit Hold’em event at Barcelona’s European Poker Tour leg. It netted him €917,330 and pushed his career earnings beyond $20 million.
From a McQueen Classic to Molly’s Game
Of course, poker has long been the stuff of dreams and a darling of both filmmakers and movie audiences. 1965s The Cincinnati Kid, starring Steve McQueen, got the ball rolling. For the past two decades, 1998s Rounders has consistently topped the polls targeted at people that play the game.
In 2017, Molly’s Game kept the genre in the spotlight by thrilling audiences and talking $60 million at the box office. There has been plenty of below and above-average films before and since. Noteworthy poker movies include 1994s Maverick, 2007s Lucky You, 2008s Shade and 2003s High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story.
