Veteran Catalan film-maker Eduard Cortes is set to direct the comedy-drama project The Pelayos (Los Pelayos)about legendary roulette player Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo, starring Daniel Bruhl and Lluis Homar.

Based on the book The Fabulous Story Of The Pelayos by Gonzalo’s son Ivan, the film will tell the story of how Gonzalo found a winning formula playing roulette at casinos in Madrid and Las Vegas, before being taken to court and then having to gamble secretly at casinos all over the world passing on his betting secrets to his family members.

Cortes is adapting the script alongside Piti Español with production duties shared between Daniel Hernandez’ Alea Docs & Films and Loris Omedes’ Bausan Films, both based in Barcelona. Broadcasters TVE, Canal + and TV3 are also supporting the project.

Inglorious Basterds actor Daniel Bruhl and Broken Embraces star Lluis Homar will lead the cast alongside Miguel Angel Silvestre, star of Eduardo Chapero Jackson’s hotly anticipated feature Verbo, and Blanca Suarez, who will next be seen in Pedro Almodovar’s The Skin I Live In.

Eduard Fernandez (Biutiful, The Skin I Live In) will also be in the film.

Lluis Homar will play Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo and Daniel Bruhl will play his son Ivan.

Shooting of The Pelayos is due to take place in Barcelona from next February until April.

Topics