Casting for the forthcoming drama Dumb Money is complete. In addition to Paul Dano, Shailene Woodley, Vincent D’Onofrio, Seth Rogen, Anthony Ramos, Dane DeHaan, Sebastian Stan, and Pete Davidson, Deadline has confirmed that America Ferrera has joined the cast. Dumb Money tells the tale of how the subreddit r/WallStreetBets was responsible for the downfall of one of the largest hedge funds in history, as told in Ben Mezrich’s book The Antisocial Network. It depicts the “David versus. Goliath” struggle, as a loosely organised group of private investors and online trolls seek to short-squeeze GameStop and radically alter the financial landscape of Wall Street.
The book spans a strange few days during which banking giants retaliate against the unexpected challenges that caused instant riches to be made and lost. The past several years have been extremely productive ones for Ferrera on multiple fronts. She recently appeared in an episode of Apple TV+’s WeCrashed and will soon be seen opposite Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the highly anticipated Barbie movie. In addition, her voice can be heard in the upcoming 2024 Disney/Pixar film Elio.
In recent years, however, she has become widely recognised for her role as Amy Sosa in Superstore. Gentefied, a Netflix comedy about three cousins who strive to salvage their dying grandfather’s taco store, was also created, executive produced and directed by Ferrera. She’ll be making her feature directing debut with the film I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, based on the novel of the same name by Erika Sánchez, and she’s reuniting with the streamer for it. The most recent of Mezrich’s books to be adapted for the big screen is Dumb Money. Taking its cue from films like 21 and The Social Network (itself inspired by The Accidental Billionaires), it continues in their footsteps (based on Bringing Down the House).
Rebecca Angelo and Lauren Schuker, who wrote Orange Is the New Black, penned the script. Filmmaker Craig Gillespie, who has experience adapting true stories including “I, Tonya,” “The Finest Hours,” and “Pam & Tommy,” is in charge of directing and producing the movie. Producers Aaron Ryder (Ryder Picture Company) and Teddy Schwarzman (Black Bear Pictures). Executive producers include Angelo Mezrich, Michael Heimler, John Friedberg, Andrew Swett, Schuker Blum, Johnny Holland, Kevin Ulrich, Tyler Winklevoss, and Cameron Winklevoss. The release date of Dumb Money has not been announced, although filming has begun.