John Goodman Joins ‘The Gambler’ Cast

“Inside Llewyn Davis” star John Goodman has joined the cast of “The Gambler” remake.  He will star along side the likes of Mark Wahlberg and Jessica Lange. 

James Caan was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in the 1974 original.

Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia regarding the plot:

Axel Freed is a New York City English professor with a gambling addiction that begins to spiral out of control. In the classroom, Freed inspires his college students with his interpretations of Dostoevsky's work. In his personal life, Axel has the affection of the beautiful Billie and the admiration of his family, including his mother Naomi, who is a doctor, and his grandfather, a wealthy businessman.

Unbeknownst to them, Axel's reckless gambling has left him with a huge debt. His bookie Hips likes the professor personally but threatens grave consequences if he doesn't pay up. When Billie, having been informed by Axel that he owes $44,000, questions the wisdom of her associating with him, Axel confidently tells her she loves his life's dangers, including "the possibility of blood."

Wahlberg takes on the lead role, with Lange playing his mother and Goodman starring as a loan shark, to whom Wahlberg finds himself indebted.

The film is slated to be released next year.

- Jordan Bach, Gambling911.com