I was wondering if Putin would be in this one.
Last year, it was announced that Olivier Assayas’ next film would be the thriller “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” based on Giuliano da Empoli’s bestseller. The cast assembled for ‘Wizard’ includes Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Zach Galifianakis and Tom Sturridge.
The story tackles the rise of Vladimir Putin in Russia. Spanning the early ‘90’s and early aughts, the novel begins in the aftermath of the USSR’s collapse as TV producer Vadim Baranov shadow puppets a promising member of the KGB (Putin) into prominent positions of government.
Jude Law is now confirming that he’s set to play Putin. I can see the resemblance. This is pretty good casting. Still, Law says he’s absolutely petrified taking on the role.
I say that hesitatingly because I haven't really started work on it yet. I mean, I have, but at the moment it looks like an Everest to climb, so I'm in the foothills looking up thinking, 'Oh Christ, what have I said?’ That's often how I feel whilst I say yes. I was going, 'Oh God, how am I going to do this?’ But anyway, that's for me to sort out.
At least no AI will be used here. A few weeks ago, I reported on a Ukrainian-backed Putin biopic that was set to use digital makeup and deepfake imagery to portray the Russian leader. That film is now playing in 60+ theaters this weekend, and absolutely nobody has covered it.
Regardless, Assayas’ ‘Wizard of Kremlin’ should be an interesting film, especially since he’s the director behind such acclaimed works as “Irma Vep,” “Personal Shopper,” “Carlos,” and “Summer Hours.”