Michael Cera has finally confirmed that Tobey Maguire was the inspiration behind his character, Player X, in the film Molly's Game. Directed and written by Aaron Sorkin, the movie premiered in 2017 and tells the story of Molly Bloom, a former professional skier who starts running a high-stakes poker game. The film is based on Bloom's memoir and showcases how she expands her operation and eventually becomes a target of the FBI.
Molly's Game features various celebrity gamblers, with Cera's character representing a mix of well-known actors such as Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Cera shared that Maguire served as the inspiration for Player X and mentioned that he has not yet had the opportunity to discuss his performance with the star.
I never had a chance to discuss it with Tobey. We crossed paths once after the movie was made, and our interaction was quite enjoyable. However, I cannot recall if it happened before or after the filming. I sincerely hope that he doesn't hold any grudges against me for portraying him, as it was truly an outstanding role.
Why The Identity of Player X Has Been Debated
In the movie, Bloom is introduced to Cera's character while assisting Dean (played by Jeremy Strong) in organizing his weekly poker nights. Although his identity as a renowned Hollywood star remains undisclosed, Bloom affectionately refers to him as "Player X." Over time, this actor becomes a regular attendee at Bloom's poker venue and collaborates with her to attract new participants. However, their relationship sours due to his decision to lend money to another player and the discrepancies in their respective earnings.
Cera's confirmation about Player X should put an end to some of the speculation surrounding the mysterious celebrity. Although other actors were also considered as inspiration, it is clear that Maguire drew the most attention. In the 2014 memoir, Maguire was mentioned in a rather negative light, especially regarding his reaction to the amount Bloom earned and the changing locations of the game.
Cera's revelation adds an interesting perspective to his performance in Molly's Game and raises questions about how he perceived the character. Now that more information has been revealed, it is worth pondering whether the role will be further discussed in the future.
Source: Rolling Stone