Molly's Game replaces All the Money in the World as AFI Fest closing film

Aaron Sorkin and Jessica Chastain’s underground poker drama Molly’s Game will replace the Kevin Spacey film All the Money in the World as the closer for this year’s AFI Fest, organizers announced Sunday.

The latter film, which centers on the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and originally starred Spacey as billionaire industrialist J. Paul Getty, was pulled from the festival by Sony six days ago, after sexual misconduct allegations against the actor surfaced. All the Money in the World director Ridley Scott is also planning to reshoot all of Spacey’s scenes, replacing him with Christopher Plummer, before the film’s Dec. 22 release.

AFI Fest kicked off Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 16.

Molly’s Game marks Sorkin’s directorial debut and is based on the true story of Molly Bloom (Chastain), who ran a clandestine, high-stakes poker ring. Sorkin also wrote the script, adapting Bloom’s memoir of the same name.

“As Sorkin embarks on this next chapter of his career, his talents are timely for a tribute as he brings his gift of crafting compelling narratives and complex characters to the story of female impresario Molly Bloom,” AFI Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga said in a statement.

Molly’s Game is slated to open Christmas Day in limited release before going wide Jan. 5.