Adrien Brody, an Academy Award-winning actor, has been replaced in an upcoming gangster movie that was slated to feature him alongside Vince Vaughn, with news breaking recently that Theo James will now star in the project. This unexpected casting change was confirmed following a statement from Anton, the studio behind the film, marking a significant shift for the anticipated production.
The movie, titled The Bookie & the Bruiser, was initially associated with Adrien Brody, whose involvement generated considerable excitement due to his acclaimed performance in the 2024 film The Brutalist. Reports from the film’s early development indicated that Brody was originally selected for a leading role, but without specific reasons publicly disclosed, his replacement has drawn attention throughout the industry. Theo James will now take on the role of Rivner, a Jewish man who partners with Vince Vaughn’s character, an Italian American, as they become a bookmaker and his enforcer in an illegal gambling ring.
The Bookie & the Bruiser will be directed and written by S. Craig Zahler, marking his first feature since 2018’s Dragged Across Concrete. Anthony Katagas, recognized for producing 12 Years a Slave, will produce with Dave Caplan, ensuring a strong team behind the project. The setting is 1959 New York, following the journey of two men from the Lower East Side who have returned from WWII changed and disconnected from their former lives. According to the official synopsis, they are,
“uninterested in taking orders from bosses or playing by the rules of polite society,”
and establish a risky but profitable illicit gambling operation, soon finding themselves ensnared between an Irish gang and the Mafia.
This casting change from Adrien Brody to Theo James is expected to influence the film’s tone and dynamic, introducing new possibilities for character interpretation. While reasons for Brody’s exit remain unclear, the transition has sparked fresh anticipation as production moves forward, with audiences eager to see how this notable shift shapes the story and performances. The outcome may also set a precedent for future collaborations and casting decisions in similar high-profile projects.
