Rubinek's casting is being framed as a triumph of veteran talent meeting visionary filmmaking—S. Craig Zahler, known for his unflinching crime dramas, has secured another decorated character actor for his latest gritty New York underworld saga.
Insiders note this film pairs Rubinek with Vince Vaughn in a rare dramatic reteam, and Patrick Schwarzenegger's involvement suggests the young actor is aggressively pursuing takeno-seriously roles after years of lighter fare. The real question: can Zahler deliver another brutal masterpiece?
Production wrapped in Canada on June 15, 2026. Rubinek's character Eli Hirschbaum runs an old-fashioned soda jerk and pharmacy in 1959-era New York City. The film is financed by C2 Motion Picture Group with producers Anthony Katagas (Keep Your Head Productions) and Dave Caplan attached.
S. Craig Zahler continues assembling a fascinating ensemble for his post-WWII crime saga, but the real star here might be the setting itself—1959 New York, where veterans struggle to readjust and underground gambling operations become lightning rods for organized crime violence.
Saul Rubinek has officially joined the cast of S. Craig Zahler's upcoming gangster thriller The Bookie & The Bruiser, according to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter published June 15, 2026. Production on the indie crime drama recently wrapped in Canada, and Rubinek brings four decades of serious acting credentials to what promises to be a brutal exploration of post-War New York underworld life.
Rubinek will play Eli Hirschbaum, the owner and operator of Hirschbaum's Drugstore—an old-fashioned "soda jerk" and pharmacist serving 1959-era New York City. According to the report, Hirschbaum serves as a father figure for two central characters: Rivner, a Jewish veteran played by Theo James, and Boscolo, a tough Italian-American from the Lower East Side portrayed by Vince Vaughn. Both characters struggle desperately to return to civilian life after serving in the Second World War, eventually building a thriving underground gambling operation that predictably attracts dangerous attention from organized crime groups.
The casting puts Rubinek alongside some serious dramatic heavyweights—Vaughn, James, and Patrick Schwarzenegger all appear in the film. But it's Zahler's involvement that should catch industry observers' attention. The filmmaker is known for unflinching crime dramas with a reputation for unflinching violence and moral complexity.
His previous work suggests The Bookie & The Bruiser won't pull punches when depicting what happens when WWII veterans turn to illegal gambling in pursuit of the American Dream. Rubinek's filmography reads like a masterclass in working actor credibility—credits include Ethan Coen's The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino's True Romance, Oliver Stone's Wall Street, and over 60 other feature films. On television, he's appeared as a series regular in Hunters, Frasier, and Warehouse 13, with guest-starring roles in Billions, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Grey's Anatomy.
He also has directing experience, having helmed Jerry and Tom starring Joe Mantegna and Sam Rockwell, plus indie film Cruel But Necessary. For Paramount and Showtime, he directed Bleacher Bums and Club Land starring Alan Alda. C2 Motion Picture Group is financing the project, with Anthony Katagas of Keep Your Head Productions and Dave Caplan serving as producers.
The production's choice to shoot in Canada rather than attempting authentic 1959 New York locations suggests budget constraints typical for indie crime dramas—but that limitation often produces more creative visual solutions anyway. With Rubinek on board, Zahler has added another serious performer to a cast already featuring two leading men known for stepping outside their comfort zones.
