Mark Wahlberg’s ‘The Gambler’ to roll out world premiere at AFI Fest

“The Gambler” is ready to show its hand. Paramount Pictures’ drama starring Mark Wahlberg will make its world premiere at AFI Fest on Nov. 10, festival organizers announced Monday.

Directed by by Rupert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) from a screenplay by William Monahan (an Oscar winner for “The Departed”), “The Gambler” tells the story of an English professor (Wahlberg) who moonlights as a high-stakes gambler and risks everything when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) while offering his own life as collateral.

Wahlberg’s films “The Fighter” and “Lone Survivor” previously bowed at AFI Fest, and the gala screening of “The Gambler” could mark the beginning of an awards-season campaign for the actor.

John Goodman, Brie Larson and Jessica Lange also star in “The Gambler,” which is a remake of the 1974 original starring James Caan.

Wahlberg produced “The Gambler” with Stephen Levinson, Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff and David Winkler. It is due in theaters Dec. 19.

AFI Fest previously announced J.C. Chandor’s crime tale “A Most Violent Year” as the festival opener and Bennett Miller’s wrestling drama “Foxcatcher” as the closer. Sophia Loren will be the subject of a special tribute.

The festival runs Nov. 6-13 in Hollywood.

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