Bata & Django to star in Hollywood movie

Efren 'Bata' Reyes

The magician Efren "Bata" Reyes, former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante and 2007 Women's Amway World Pool Championships finalist Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit have been cast to star with American Jennifer Barretta in a movie dubbed as "9-Ball."

The film is scheduled to begin principal photography on June 15 at Universal Studios.

This independent film will be directed and produced by Main Street Production's Anthony Palma, who is also the creator and writer of the movie. Ralph Clemente is the movie's executive producer.

Palma, in a statement yesterday, said: "It is an honor and privilege to have these three great pool players now part of the cast of "9-Ball." Pool players and fans of the sport everywhere can look forward to seeing the best of the best and most exciting pool players in the world.

The movie promised to be an exciting story geared to be one suspenseful, dramatic and authentic pool movie.

"Isang malaking karangalan sa bayan natin na mapili sina Efren (Reyes), Django (Bustamante) at Rubilen (Amit) na mapasama sa American Film na 9-Ball," said Rolly Vicente of Puyat Sports Stable.

Reyes and Bustamante are currently in Japan while Amit, the country's top woman pool player is aiming to improve her runner-up finish as she competes in the 2008 Amway Women's World Pool Championships on April 1 to 7 in Taipei, Taiwan.

"I will try my best to bring honor to our country just like what our men players are doing," said the 25-year-old Cebuana Amit in a recent interview.

In the film, the audience will get the chance to see how and what made them Reyes, Bustamante and Amit made it big in the sport.

Francisco 'Django' Bustamante

Actually, the film is about a young, up and coming pool player who breaks away from hustling pool in the back rooms of bars to follow her dream of becoming the Women's 9-Ball Champion of the World.

Barretta, who plays the lead role said: "This project is the most exciting thing happening in pool right now and I'm excited to be a part of it. '9-Ball' is destined to become a classic."

The film has also garnered excitement from other greats such as Karren Corr and Julie Kelly who have already served as technical advisors on the script. The two have also been cast to play roles in the movie.

"After reading the screenplay for '9-Ball' I was more impressed than ever to be involved with this film. "9-Ball" is the first film produced that combines women's professional pool with a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat… Gail is a young woman with a lot of guts, determination, and ambition to become the 9-Ball Women's World Champion. "9-Ball" is a film that you want to see, and after you see it to go shoot pool," world champion Corr said.

Kelly is also excited to be part of the movie.

"I also like that it is about a woman pool player, we've seen great pool movies but nothing like "9-Ball." The film aims to inspire all up and coming pool players to take their craft seriously and follow their dreams professionally," Kelly said.