Matt Damon Wants to Make Sequel to 1998’s Poker Movie Rounders

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Matt Damon Wants to Make Sequel to 1998's Poker Movie Rounders

As a gamer with a penchant for movies that revolve around strategy and skill, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of a Rounders sequel. I remember watching this movie back in the day when I was still trying to figure out the intricacies of Texas Hold ’em, and it left an indelible mark on me. The idea that Matt Damon and Edward Norton might reprise their roles and delve into the evolution of poker over the years is simply enticing.

Matt Damon expressed his desire to produce a sequel to the 1998 film “Rounders,” which has garnered a dedicated following in recent years due to streaming platforms. It’s not uncommon for movies that initially underperform at the box office to eventually find an audience, as demonstrated by “Rounders.” Despite its moderate financial success, the movie gained traction among viewers, particularly because of the surge in popularity of poker, which plays a significant role in the film’s narrative. Although there was no immediate demand for a sequel, Matt Damon has reportedly been working to bring one to life.

During an interview on the Rich Eisen Show to promote his Apple TV+ film, The Instigators, Damon revealed that he has been angling to get a sequel made to Rounders for years. The Oppenheimer star admitted that he has recently seen his co-star in that movie, Edward Norton, and he too would be interested in returning to that particular world over two decades later. Damon believes that the evolution of poker over the years makes it the perfect time to catch up with the characters from the cult-classic film.

“For quite some time now, we’ve been hoping for it and I recently bumped into Edward Norton not long ago – just like many of us – it’s a follow-up to ‘Rounders’. With so many changes in the poker world over the past 25 years, it would be exciting to reconnect with those characters.”

Matt Damon Has Been Trying to Get a Rounders Sequel Made for Years

You might expect that having Damon and Norton involved would make creating a Rounders sequel straightforward, but the actor clarified that disputes over the rights to the movie have made things tricky. However, he has been in discussions with the original film’s writers, David Levien and Brian Koppelman, about it.

As a gamer looking back, a poker movie was in the works a decade ago. However, since then, the poker world has undergone significant changes. Although I haven’t discussed this with them recently, I believe their original idea from a decade ago was exceptional. With today’s advancements, they could undoubtedly update and adapt it to create something extraordinary once more.

Under the guidance of director John Dahl, the movie titled Rounders delves into the realm of secretive high-stakes poker, where it chronicles the journey of two friends, Damon and Norton, who find themselves in a tight spot due to an outstanding debt. They aim to win big at one of these clandestine games as a means to settle their financial obligations. The term “rounders” is used to describe individuals like them, who roam around seeking high-stakes poker matches. Apart from Damon and Norton, the movie boasts an impressive cast that includes John Malkovich, John Turturro, Famke Janssen, and Gretchen Mol.

The movie “Rounders” generally received favorable feedback from critics, with a 64% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it fell short in terms of box office performance. Produced at a cost of $12 million, the film garnered $22.9 million at the domestic box office after its release. In the time since, several professional poker players have acknowledged that the movie sparked their interest in the game, including Gavin Griffin, Brian Rast, and Dutch Boyd.

Rounders
can currently be watched for free on Pluto TV.

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2024-08-02 02:01