Jenna Ortega has stormed Hollywood with breakout performances such as Wednesday
and Scream
. Robert De Niro, on the other hand, with his iconic performances in Taxi Driver
, The Godfather II
, and Goodfellas
, remains a cinematic legend. Now, the two are set to join forces under the direction of someone whose films have become classics.
With all these heavy hitters involved, the stakes are high, and the excitement is building—this collaboration promises to be one for the books.
Robert De Niro and Jenna Ortega join forces for a thrilling new project
is David O. Russell’s latest directorial play, pairing Robert De Niro with Jenna Ortega in a tense, stylish pool hustler tale that is already making waves at the Cannes Market
. De Niro plays Jake Kejeune, a master of a fading game, while Ortega stars as Mia, a gifted newcomer with a raw edge. The film promises a thrilling mentor-prodigy dynamic—where loyalty, ambition, and risk collide under neon lights and smoky ceilings.
Jenna Ortega and Robert De Niro will star in ‘SHUTOUT’ with David O Russell set to direct.
The film follows a pool master who finds a young prodigy who he begins to train in the game of pool.
(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/eE1Xi3l5kQ
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 5, 2025
As Jake takes Mia under his wing, the duo plunge headfirst into the ruthless world of high-level pool. Produced by RK Films and Mark Bomback, Shutout
marks another reunion for De Niro and Russell
after Silver Linings Playbook
. With Ortega riding high from Wednesday
to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
, and Black Bear handling international sales at Cannes, this film is one of the hottest upcoming titles —and possibly one of the most explosive partnerships of the year.
From taking on new roles to being behind hits like Wednesday
, Jenna Ortega is truly making her mark in Hollywood. But she is not stopping there—Ortega is quietly shifting gears, ready to bring her vision to the world behind the lens.
Jenna Ortega to step behind the camera with a dream project
Reported by V Magazine, Jenna Ortega is ready to flip the script—literally. After nearly a decade of holding onto a story she dreamed up as a teen, she is finally taking the leap into directing.
“I have a script that I’ve known that I was going to make for almost 10 years,”
Ortega shared, adding that she is just now taking real steps to make it happen, marking a bold move toward full creative control.
Jenna Ortega says she plans to direct her own original film.
“I have a script that I’ve known that I was going to make for almost 10 years” pic.twitter.com/e6fMNTvV5T
— Movie View (@MovieView_) April 28, 2025
Speaking to Armchair Expert, Ortega described how stepping into producing began when she had to “put my foot down”
and rewrite Wednesday
lines she did not agree with.
Later, she also shared with Vanity Fair saying how she could have “used [her] words better”
when reflecting on those script changes, especially during the WGA strike. From changing scripts to crafting her own, Jenna Ortega is now proving that she is more than ready to call the shots from the director’s hot seat.
Read More: Jenna Ortega Loves Crying and Other Traumas That Come With Horror Movies
What do you think about this powerhouse collaboration? How do you think Shutout
will turn out? Let us know in the comments!