Deal ‘Em! Oscar Isaac signs on to Paul Schader’s The Card Counter

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Now I'm not sure if there is anything that suggests Poe Dameron from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS plays sabacc, however I find it hard to believe that the rogue pilot doesn't at least occasionally dabble in games of chance. However, his real life counterpart Oscar Isaac better brush up on his card skills. The prominent actor has just signed on to play William Tell in director Paul Schrader's (BLUE COLLAR) next film project, THE CARD COUNTER. And man the plot sounds intriguing to say the least:

William Tell (Isaac), a gambler and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past. Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk, a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a military colonel. Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk. Gaining backing from mysterious gambling financier La Linda, Tell takes Cirk with him on the road, going from casino to casino until the unlikely trio set their sights on winning the World Series of poker in Las Vegas. But keeping Cirk on the straight-and-narrow proves impossible, dragging Tell back into the darkness of his past.

Military revenge? Mysterious financial backers? The World Series of Poker? Guys with the inexplicable names of Cirk and William Tell? Sign me up!

Paul Schrader is a legend in this industry, writing Martin Scorsese classics like TAXI DRIVER and RAGING BULL. While his directing efforts have often been hit (AFFLICTION) or miss (THE CANYONS) there's no denying the guy's talent. He's coming off one of the most well-regarded films of last year with FIRST REFORMED, a film joblo's own Chris Bumbray raved about. I can absolutely envision Oscar Isaac in this role. He's already proved quite adept playing military characters with this year's TRIPLE FRONTIER where he starred opposite Ben Affleck. Matching Isaac up with Schrader sounds like a recipe for cinema gold.

Oscar Isaac can currently be seen in THE ADDAMS FAMILY and will reprise his role as hotshot pilot Poe Dameron for the last (?) time in December's STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. Paul Schrader also has another film titled THE JESUIT in the works.

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to how many archery jokes will be in THE CARD COUNTER? Could Oscar Isaac at some point sport an apple on top of his head? Time will tell.