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Poker is a game filled with explosive moments, deep emotions, gripping drama, and plenty of animated conversations—everything that encapsulates its spirit! Poker Those who followed poker in the 2000s will recognize many events and anecdotes related to Mike 'The Mouth' Matusow.
From achieving monumental victories on the grandest platforms in poker to serving time in jail, Matusow’s journey is extensive. Filmmakers are currently working on a documentary titled Matusow that chronicles his life.
The four-time World Series of Poker Though he may not resonate with every poker enthusiast, this bracelet winner undoubtedly brings unmatched enthusiasm to the table.
The latest film produced by Big F Productions aims to highlight these lesser-known aspects of Matusow’s life.
Director Frank Zarrillo notes, 'Many people misunderstand Mike, thinking he’s just a jerk or unapproachable. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve spent significant time with him in various settings—whether it’s casinos or family gatherings—and I found him to be generous and straightforward.'
Frank Zarrillo is collaborating with his brother, Danny, to produce this film. Recently, he shared insights about the documentary and documenting the life of Mike Matusow in an interview with 888poker.
Making a Connection
The world of poker is no stranger to plenty of great documentaries Poker is rich with fascinating personalities and tales, so it’s surprising that Matusow has never been featured in a documentary before.
Mike Matusow is candid during interviews and in his autobiography, Check-Raising the Devil, reflecting his unabashed attitude toward sharing his story. Zarrillo recalls being captivated by larger-than-life players while watching the WSOP during its golden years.
Originally from Toms River, New Jersey, Zarrillo now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He saw great potential in Matusow as the central figure for a documentary.
Zarrillo has created other documentaries with his brother Danny, Big F’s COO, including The Wrestler: A Q.T. Marshall Story , which garnered several accolades post-release in 2017.
Another film from Zarrillo is reaching streaming platforms soon, centered around the legendary bodybuilder and current CEO of Gaspari Nutrition, Rich Gaspari. He has a distinctive passion for showcasing unique stories across various industries.
Connecting with Matusow felt like a natural progression into the world of poker filmmaking. An introduction came through a friend who participated in his home games, leading to the beginning of their filming journey.
Zarrillo captured Matusow's life almost continuously, which might come off as intrusive to some players. However, Matusow was agreeable to the arrangement.
'Mike is an ideal subject for a documentary,' says Zarrillo. 'He embodies a dynamic personality, is unreserved, speaks his mind, and doesn’t care about others’ opinions. He’s fundamentally kind and loyal, and thankfully, he granted me the opportunity to document his daily life. I doubt any other player would allow such access.'
'I’m lucky to tell his story authentically, without pretenses or limitations. With direct access to his life and connections, plus his reputation in the poker world, I believe we’ll produce something extraordinary,' Zarrillo adds.
Filming The Mouth
Documenting Matusow's story has involved extensive planning. The Big F team chronicled his appearances at the WSOP over recent years, including the last year held at the Rio and his participation at Bally’s (later known as Horseshoe) as well as during the World Poker Tour’s 20th Anniversary .
'There’s a rich story woven into the documentary alongside Mike’s personal experiences,' Zarrillo explains. 'However, the challenges weren't too great, as Mike is easy to work with, despite perceptions some might have from online discussions.'
Chronicling Matusow's life presented its own set of hurdles, like obtaining the right permissions to film prestigious events, and transporting equipment to Las Vegas.
Capturing every moment of Matusow’s life for extensive editing proved demanding, especially when trying to meet the high expectations of poker enthusiasts and documentary viewers.
'This isn’t a simple task, but I genuinely enjoy the entire journey,' Zarrillo expresses. 'Creating a feature film at this caliber requires time, dedication, skill, and patience.'
'When directing a narrative featuring some of the poker industry’s biggest names, a strong sense of self-belief is crucial to ensure it exceeds everyone’s expectations. There will be many critics analyzing and appraising your work, so it's vital to deliver the best poker documentary ever produced.'
Coming Soon to a Screen Near You!
Few individuals exhibit the same level of intensity at a poker table as Mike Matusow. A quick search on YouTube will showcase a plethora of emotional instances featuring Matusow, who boasts over $10 million in lifetime tournament earnings.
Even though Matusow isn’t among the younger players, he continues to shine in the spotlight, finishing as a runner-up and fifth in this summer’s WSOP.
His poker achievements include two final tables in the Main Event, triumphing in the 2005 WSOP Tournament of Champions for a million dollars. He also made three final table appearances at the WPT, including one as a runner-up, while maintaining a presence in televised poker during the 2000s.
'He’s one of those rare individuals who should be doing nothing but playing poker,' Zarrillo comments. 'I’ve seen him spend countless hours immersed in poker discussions or engaged in games at casinos like Bellagio, Rio, and Paris. When he isn’t at the casinos, he's likely playing poker on his iPad at home.'
'Mike is a staple in this industry. His name naturally comes to mind when discussing poker. Fans expect to see him whether they’re watching from the sidelines or participating at a cash game.'
Along with the main star of the film, Phil Hellmuth , Daniel Negreanu Notable figures like Shaun Deeb and James Woods will feature in interviews or appearances. Currently, Matusow’s documentary is in post-production, with hopes for a release in early 2024.
This documentary explores various topics, including Matusow’s reflections on his place in the poker world.
How does he hope to be remembered?
“In the poker industry 'I want to leave a mark as one of the pioneers who helped shape the World Series and the World Poker Tour into what they are now,' Matusow says in the trailer.
'I genuinely believe that without myself, Phil, Daniel, Ivey, and Moneymaker, poker wouldn’t be as popular as it is today. Many in the poker community would describe me as having a heart of gold, willing to assist anyone. However, those who do not know me may have a different opinion.'