Awkwafina’s next film is already in the works. The Golden Globe award-winner will star in the upcoming motion picture “The Baccarat Machine” backed by “Crazy Rich Asians” producer SK Global.
Currently a working title, The Baccarat Machine is based on the real-life figure, Cheung Yin “Kelly” Sun. Known as the greatest female gambler in the world, she partners up with legendary poker player Phil Ivey to take on the world’s casinos. The project will mark Awkwafina’s second with Sk Global after her breakout performance in the 2018 romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians.
Source material for the film is primarily the Cigar Aficionado article “The Baccarat Machine” written by Michael Kaplan. In the article, the gambling niche journalist details Sun’s journey as a young Chinese woman who develops a skill for gambling through her obsession for revenge against the gambling industry.
As she goes on to beat the system at their own game, major casinos conspire to block her from playing in their properties. She then teams up with Ivey to achieve one of the most successful legally accomplished gambling runs to have ever been documented.
The upcoming feature was announced by SKG chiefs John Penotti and Charlie Corwin. Writer Andy Bellin is currently working to pen the script while the project is in search of a director to attach as well as additional casting.
Penotti says in a statement, “We can’t think of a better way to start this project than by announcing that our friend Awkwafina has come on board. 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.”