Gil Cates Jr., so of Oscar show producer Gilbert Cates, is set to direct the poker focused feature Deal with Burt Reynolds and Bret Harrison, for Louisiana-based Crescent City Pictures and producer Michael Arata.
Cates Jr. penned the script, which will begin shooting April 3 down in the Big Easy. The story revolves around an ex-gambler who teaches a hot-shot college student how to “play the player,” vs. just the cards. But after the two have a bitter falling out, mentor and student find themselves competing against each other in the World Poker Tour championships.
Along with Reynolds and Harrison the film will also feature Shannon Elizabeth, Charles Durning as well as real-life poker players Phil “The Unabomber” Laak, Antonio “The Magician” Esfandari and Vince Van Patton.
