It looks like Mark Wahlberg could be going after yet another Oscar nomination with his new role that teams him up with some other powerhouse big names and made the actor lose a lot of weight for the role.

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The first, red-band trailer for Wahlberg's The Gambler was released on Wednesday. The film follows the story of Jim Bennett (Wahlberg), who is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael K. Williams) and offers his own life as collateral.

Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Jessica Lange) in his wake.

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He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett's future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance.

Wahlberg looks very different in the role as the actor dropped weight in order to pull off looking like an English professor after looking completely beefed up for his roles in Transformers: Age of Extinction and Pain & Gain. The script comes from William Monahan, who wrote The Departed, so Wahlberg could try and emulate his other award-nominated role.

It is directed by Rupert Wyatt, who directed Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and it seems like he has a handle on creating this world around Wahlberg that should be a draw for audiences.

The Gambler is released in limited on Dec. 19 and expands on Jan. 2, 2015.

Tags: The Gambler Movies Mark Wahlberg Jessica Lange John Goodman