Renee Zellweger Headed to Broadway in THE HUSTLER?

Deadline.com, while reporting on an upcoming film project for Renee Zellwegger (her directorial debut, 4 1/2 minutes, oppposite Johnny Knoxville), also notes that "She’ll also star in the upcoming Broadway adaptation of The Hustler, written by Anthony Tambakis and to be directed by Warrior‘s Gavin O’Connor."

The Hustler is a 1961 drama film directed by Robert Rossen from the 1959 novel of the same name he and Sidney Carroll adapted for the screen. It tells the story of small-time pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson and his desire to prove himself the best player in the country by beating legendary pool player "Minnesota Fats." After initially losing to Fats and getting involved with unscrupulous manager Bert Gordon, Eddie returns to beat Fats, but only after paying a terrible personal price.

The Hustler received nine Academy Award nominations. The film won two, for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White (Harry Horner and Gene Callahan) and Best Cinematography, Black-and-White (Eugen Schüfftan). The film was also nominated for Best Picture and Newman was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Gleason and Scott were both nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role; Scott refused the nomination. Laurie was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Rossen received nominations for Best Director and, with Carroll, for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

The film was shot on location in New York City. It stars Paul Newman as Eddie Felson, Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats, Piper Laurie as Sarah, and George C. Scott as Bert.

Renée Kathleen Zellweger first gained widespread attention for her role in the film Jerry Maguire (1996), and subsequently received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her roles as Bridget Jones in the comedy Bridget Jones's Diary (2001), which she reprised in its sequel Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago (2002), and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama Cold Mountain (2003). Her more recent film appearances have included Cinderella Man (2005), Miss Potter (2006) and My One and Only (2009). 

She has won three Golden Globe Awards and three Screen Actors Guild Awards and was named Hasty Pudding's Woman of the Year in 2009.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.