Awkwafina to Partner with Crazy Rich Asians Producers on a New Film
Awkwafina is expecting a royal flush with her next feature film.
The newly-minted Golden Globe award winner is set to star in The Baccarat Machine, an upcoming movie from the producers behind Crazy Rich Asians. The film is based on the true story of Cheung Yin “Kelly” Sun, the world's best female poker player, as adapted from Michael Kaplan’s article “The Baccarat Machine” published in Cigar Aficionado. After casinos worldwide banned Sun due to her poker strategies, she collaborated with legendary player Phil Ivey, beginning an unlikely partnership that would result in millions of dollars in winnings.
Sun used a famed poker technique called edge sorting, which involves the ability to recognize playing cards based on how their edges are cut—changes only distinguishable by fractions of an inch. The combination of this technique and Sun's partnership with Ivey led to one of the most lucrative legal gambling success stories in history.
According a press release, the movie will be structured as a revenge drama, based off of Sun's frustration at being blacklisted from casinos. The release said the film follows the young Chinese woman "who turns a painstakingly developed talent and obsession for payback into beating the system at their own game."
The film will be produced by SK Global, who previously worked with Awkwafina in Crazy Rich Asians. “We can’t think of a better way to start this project than by announcing that our friend Awkwafina has come on board,” SK Global co-CEO John Penotti said. “She is uniquely equipped to bring Kelly to life onscreen and will infuse the role with genuine humor and humanity. Along with our partners at Sharp, we’re thrilled to bring this unbelievable story to the screen.”
While the film does not yet have a release date, the movie is poised to continue Awkwafina's streak of successes. The actress/comedian/rapper recently won a Golden Globe for her role in Lulu Wang's acclaimed movie, The Farewell, making her the first person of Asian descent to win a Golden Globe Award in any lead actress film category. She is currently starring in the Comedy Central hit, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, which was recently renewed for a second season.
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