Music superstarCardi BandRiverdalestarLili Reinharthave signed on to joinConstance WuandJennifer Lopezin STXfilms' dramaHustlers, Collider has learned.Keke Palmer,Julia StilesandMercedes Ruehlhave also joined the cast, whileMette Towley(Cats) andTrace Lysette(Transparent) are in negotiations for supporting roles.
Lorene Scafaria(The Meddler) will direct from her own screenplay, which was inspired by a2016New York Magazinearticle that went viral. Wu and Lopez will lead a savvy group of former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.
I’m told Cardi B will play Serena, one of Lopez’s best friends who becomes her close accomplice. Stiles will play a journalist who befriends Wu. Ruehl will play Mother, who runs the backstage operations at the strip club.
Hustlerswas one of several projects developed and then dropped by Annapurna Pictures, and I’m not sure I ever understood the logic there, because with a starry cast like this one and a solid filmmaker in Scafaria, I thinkHustlerscould turn a tidy profit for STXfilms. The company is producing the film with Lopez,Elaine Goldsmith-ThomasandBenny Medina, who previously collaborated with STX on last year’s rom-comSecond Act. Meanwhile, Oscar winnerAdam McKay,Will FerrellandJessica Elbaumwill also produce for Gloria Sanchez Productions, and STX executivesKate VorhoffandCatherine Hagedornwill oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
“We could not have asked for a more exciting or talented lineup of performers to join our cast,” said STXfilms chairmanAdam Fogelson. “STX is thrilled to reunite with Jennifer, Elaine and Benny to bring this unexpected, entertaining and often shocking story to the big screen for audiences worldwide.”
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this dynamic group of women,” said Scafaria. “We’re grateful to have assembled such a powerhouse cast and can’t wait to start filming at the end of the week.” That’s right, production starts this Friday in New York City.
STXfilms’ 2019 slate includes theTaraji P. Henson-Sam RockwelldramaThe Best of Enemies(April 5); the animated family filmUglydolls(May 3); theDiane Keatoncheerleading comedyPoms(May 10); theChadwick Bosemanthriller17 Bridges(July 12); and theKatie Holmes-led horror sequelThe Boy 2(July 26).
Cardi B is represented by CAA; Reinhart is repped by UTA and Anonymous Content; Palmer is repped by UTA and 3 Arts; Stiles is repped by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment; Ruehl is repped by Sue Leibman/Barking Dog Entertainment; Towley is represented by WME and 3 Arts; and Lysette is repped by ICM Partners.
