Oscar Winner Renee Zellweger Eyes a West End Debut in Stage Adaptation of the Paul Newman Classic The Hustler

Renee Zellweger is about to hit the pool halls. The Academy Award winner may head to the West End this fall in a stage adaptation of The Hustler, according to the Daily Mail. Initially the play was speculated to hit Broadway, however the show now plans to run in London first.  No additional casting, dates or theater have been set.

The show will be based on Walter Tevis' 1959 novel The Hustler and its subsequent film adaptation, which starred Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason and Piper Laurie. The Hustler is the story of pool hustler Edward “Fast Eddie” Felson, who tries to become the best pool player in the United States by defeating pool legend Minnesota Fats. Zellweger will play Sarah, Felson’s depressed, alcoholic girlfriend (originally portrayed by Laurie in the film).

Zellweger earned an Academy Award for Cold Mountain. She received an additional nomination for playing Roxie Hart in the blockbuster movie adapation of Chicago. Her many other film credits include Jerry Maguire, One True Thing, Nurse Betty, Bridget Jones’s Diary, White Oleander, Down With Love and Cinderella Man.