Jenna Ortega and Robert De Niro will star in Shutout, a new movie from David O. Russell. 2022 marked a game-changing year for Ortega. She starred in X that year, in addition to co-leading Scream (2022) opposite Melissa Barerra. That was also the year in which she debuted as the star of Netflix’s Wednesday, which then paved the way for a role in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024). De Niro, on the other hand, a screen veteran, is coming off of projects like Zero Day (2025) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).
Per Variety, Ortega and De Niro will lead the cast of Shutout, a new movie that explores the world of pool hustling. The Oscar-nominated Russell will direct and produce the film, which features a script by Alejandro Adams. Black Bear is set to launch sales of the movie at the Cannes Film Market later this month. In addition to Russell, Shutout will hail from producers Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum of RK Films, and Mark Bomback. Check out the synopsis for the movie below:
“Shutout” follows Jake Kejeune (De Niro), one of the last masters of a vanishing craft — the pool hustler. Having lived and lost by the roll of a ball in smoky backroom halls, Jake encounters Mia (Ortega), a young prodigy whose raw, electrifying talent reignites a fire he thought long extinguished. Sensing a rare opportunity to shape a legend, Jake takes Mia under his wing, honing her instincts and sharpening her natural gift.
Together, they plunge into the ruthless world of high-stakes pool, where the line between unimaginable fortune and devastating failure is razor-thin. As Mia’s star ascends and her ambition grows, Jake must confront the ultimate question: can he steer her to greatness, or will her hunger for victory eclipse everything he has taught her?
Kirschenbaum of RK Films shared the following statement about the film:
“We’re delighted to be collaborating with the acclaimed director David O. Russell and the legendary Robert De Niro, and especially excited to see Jenna step into the spotlight alongside these two cinematic icons. It’s a rare and thrilling opportunity to support such a high-caliber team coming together to tell a compelling story — a lineup so precise, it feels like the perfect break.”
What This Means For Jenna Ortega & Robert De Niro
Both Actors Had Recent Movie Disappointments
Shutout will mark the fourth collaboration for De Niro and Russell after American Hustle (2013), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and Amsterdam (2022). Both American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook earned Russell Best Director nominations at the Oscars, on top of his earlier nomination for The Fighter. Though Russell has been mired in controversy on numerous occasions for alleged abusive on-set behavior, his previous awards fare suggests Shutout could be a redemption for De Niro after the overwhelmingly negative reviews for The Alto Knights (2025).
As for Ortega, this will mark the first collaboration between her and Russell. It could also redeem a recent disappointment for her in the form of Death of a Unicorn (2025), which failed to perform critically and commercially. Movies about the sport of pool are a rarity in Hollywood, with the most notable тιтles being The Hustler (1961) and the Tom Cruise-starring The Color of Money (1986) from director Martin Scorsese. With pool itself unlikely to be an audience draw, Shutout will be a major test of Ortega’s star power.
No filming window was shared for Shutout, meaning it’s unclear when the movie will actually be releasing.
Our Take On Shutout
It’s Time For Another Pool Movie
Amsterdam was a major critical and commercial failure for Russell. It’s not clear if Shutout will redeem this movie’s poor performance, but the idea of a film that explores the world of pool is a welcome one. The Hustler and The Color of Money are arguably the defining pool movies, and it’s overdue for another film to explore this unique sport and the culture ᴀssociated with it.
Ortega is still very much a star on the rise, and it will be interesting to see her front and center more in a new film that doesn’t have the benefit of being based on any existing IP. Though De Niro remains active as a movie star, he doesn’t have the pull he once did, as evidenced by The Alto Knights‘ failure. Many questions remain about Shutout, but the film is already sounding like one to look forward to.
Source: Variety
