Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth, who wrote the highly acclaimed and successful film Forrest Gump, is creating a TV series based on the life of legendary poker player Stu Ungar.
The Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius – Stu Ungar
Stu Ungar remains one of the most iconic figures in poker history, known for his extraordinary talent at the tables and his struggles with substance abuse. Ungar made history by becoming the only person ever to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event three times. Despite earning millions throughout his career, Ungar’s life ended in tragedy, as he ultimately died broke.
Past Attempts to Capture Stu Ungar’s Life
Eric Roth’s attempt to showcase the life story of Stu Ungar isn’t the first from Hollywood. Over the years, his life story has fascinated fans and filmmakers. In 2003, an unauthorized film, High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story, was released without the involvement of Ungar’s family. The film’s runtime was 1h 50m, which lacked the depth to fully capture the larger-than-life story of this legendary player.
In 2006, ESPN released the documentary One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stu Ungar, which went on to become a highly successful endeavor. It won three Emmy Awards, including Best Writing. In a recent development, Ungar’s family has officially granted the rights to adapt his life story.
The project has been entrusted to the father-son duo, Eric Roth and Geoffrey Roth. Eric Roth is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated screenwriters with an Oscar award. He has written several highly acclaimed films like Dune, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Munich, and many more.
Eric and Geoffrey Roth are now developing a limited TV series based on Ungar’s life. In an official statement, they shared their excitement:
“We couldn’t be more excited to come aboard to tell Stuey’s story. He was as uniquely talented and mesmerizing a figure as they come — he’s simply one of one. We’re honored to be involved and grateful to his family for entrusting us to expound upon his legacy.”
Stu Ungar’s daughter, Stefanie, also expressed her enthusiasm for the project:
“We’ve never felt ready to share it — until now. When I met Eric and Geoff Roth, we knew we had found the right team to tell my father’s story.” Stefanie also revealed that her father met Eric in 1979 while playing cards in Las Vegas, which adds a personal layer to this project.
What’s Next: Timeline for the TV Series Release
There is no streamer attached to the series yet, as the series is currently in its writing phase. However, poker enthusiasts can expect the series to release around 2027 or 2028.
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Source – The Hollywood Reporter
