Updated on 22 Feb 26 by
Peter Fryers
Poker Expert

John Hesp’s WSOP story to be turned into a movie

Hesp wrote the poker story of the year when he reached the Main Event final table at the Rio this summer and now it's being turned into a movie.





John Hesp News of another poker movie reaches us as plans to turn the story of John Hesp’s summer into a film have been revealed.

64-year-old Hesp amassed an army of followers at the Rio thanks to his exploits at the felt, plus his colourful character, embodied by his flamboyant lucky patchwork jacket.

The grandfather of seven made $2.6m at this year's WSOP thanks to his fourth-place finish in the Main Event, after previously limiting himself to playing £10 buy-in games at his local Napoleons Casino in Hull.

The story was so popular that now the caravan salesman from Bridlington, Yorkshire, has disclosed ongoing talks with movie producers to take the story to the big screen.

Plenty to celebrate

Hesp was speaking at the Napoleons who were unveiling their new ‘John Hesp Poker Chair’, the upholstery for which was designed on his famous jacket. The Casino is also the venue of his previous best ever cash of just over $1000.

The man himself said;

"I got contacted by two or three producers when I was out in Vegas, including some Hollywood names, but I elected to go with a UK based company. The offer is formalised in writing and I've just got my legal team sorting things out. It's about 90 per cent through. We've had a bit of a laugh and a joke about who might play me. Personally, I would prefer George Clooney."

Poker fans will hope that the proposed movie will make it on to screens after being left disappointed by a Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott movie that was never made. For those that are impatient for the next great poker movie, Molly’s Game is due for its cinematic release in November.

Are you pleased to see the film is being made? Let us know in the comments:


Peter Fryers
Poker Expert