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Idris Elba is in talks to star opposite Jessica Chastain, the lead actress in Aaron Sorkin‘s directorial debut, “Molly’s Game,” an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.

Set in the world of high-stakes poker, the film is based on the memoir by Molly Bloom that Sorkin adapted himself.

Bloom was a world-class skier who, after failing to make the Olympics, took a year off before law school and accepted a job as a waitress in Los Angeles. She put her entrepreneurial skills to good use and eventually found her way into running high-stakes poker games for Hollywood’s elite for eight years before the FBI brought her down.

Also Read: Idris Elba, John Ridley Join Forces for Showtime '70s Civil Rights Drama

Sorkin’s “Steve Jobs” collaborator Mark Gordon will produce with Amy Pascal, while Leopoldo Gout will serve as an executive producer.

Elba is currently filming Sony and MRC’s adaptation of Stephen King‘s “The Dark Tower,” which co-stars Matthew McConaughey. He’ll soon be seen in “Star Trek Beyond” and the action-thriller “Bastille Day.” Elba has also lent his voice to Disney’s “The Jungle Book,” ‘Zootopia” and the upcoming “Finding Dory.” The British actor is also attached to star in Fox’s romantic drama “The Mountains Between Us.”

Elba is represented by WME, the Artists Partnership, Headshell Management and Hertz, Lichtenstein & Young. His casting was first reported by Variety.

15 Busiest Movie Actors of 2015, From Alicia Vikander to Anthony Mackie (Photos)

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Alicia Vikander
The Swedish actress starred in four movies this year: "Ex Machina," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "Burnt" and "The Danish Girl."
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Domhnall Gleeson
Gleeson was extremely busy as well, starring in multiple films that have received award nominations: "Ex Machina," "Brooklyn," "The Revenant" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
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Tom Hardy
The British hunk had roles in "Mad Max: Fury Road," "London Road," "The Revenant" and "Child 44" this year.
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Samuel L. Jackson
Jackson starred in "Barely Lethal," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Chi-Raq," "Kingsman: The Secret Service" and "The Hateful Eight."
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Anthony Mackie
A bunch of movies starring Mackie were released this year: "The Night Before," "Love the Coopers," "Our Brand is Crisis," "Ant-Man, "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Shelter" and "Black or White" and "Playing It Cool."
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Rachel McAdams
The actress started her year with Sony's "Aloha" and then went on to star in "Everything Will Be Fine," "Spotlight" and "Southpaw." She also had one of the leading roles in HBO's second season of "True Detective."
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Michael Fassbender
"Steve Jobs" wasn't Fassbender's only film this year. He also released "Slow West" and "Macbeth," as well as the short, "Zero."
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Robert De Niro
The 72-year-old melted hearts in this year's "The Intern," but also starred in "Heist," "Ellis," "Hands of Stone" and "Joy."
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Michael Stuhlbarg
Stuhlbarg was seen in four movies this year: "Pawn Sacrifice," "Steve Jobs," "Trumbo" and "Cut Bank."
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Elizabeth Banks
The actress/producer had roles in "Pitch Perfect 2," "Love & Mercy," Wet Hot American Summer," "Magic Mike XXL," and "Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2."
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Michael Pena
Pena starred in "The Martian," "Ant-Man," "Vacation," "Hell and Back" and "The Vatican Tapes."
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John Cusack
Cusack had five releases this year: "Map to the Stars," "Chi-Raq," "Love & Mercy," "Shanghai" and "Dragon Blade."
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Amanda Seyfried
The actress starred in "Love the Coopers," "Pan," Ted 2," "While We're Young" and "Fathers and Daughters."
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Joel Edgerton
Edgerton starred in "Black Mass" opposite Johnny Depp, and also had roles in "The Gift," "Life" and the short, "Lifted."
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Jake Gyllenhaal
The actor appeared in "Accidental Love," "Southpaw" and "Everest" -- and a fourth drama, "Demolition," premiered at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival.
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