Jude Law Takes on the Role of Young Vladimir Putin in Olivier Assayas’ New Film ‘ The Wizard of Kremlin’

Jude Law recently confirmed to Deadline that he will be taking on the role of young Vladimir Putin in Olivier Assayas’ New Film ‘ The Wizard of Kremlin.’ The movie will be based on Giuliano da Empoli’s popular 2022 book, with a screenplay written by Olivier Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère.

The book tells the story of a fictional meeting between the author and Vadim Baranov, a mysterious man who was once an artist, TV producer, and close advisor to Vladimir Putin. Baranov, now retired, shares his life story, including his time in 1990s Russia, his role in helping Putin rise to power starting in 1999, and his experience with political power.

Directed by French filmmaker Olivier Assayas, the movie will feature Jude Law in a supporting role and focus on Vladimir Putin, now 72, “at the beginning of his governing career.”

“I haven’t really started work on it yet,” Law said. “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,” he added. “I was going, ‘Oh God, how am I going to do this?’ But anyway, that’s for me to sort out.”

‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ will also feature Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, and Zach Galifianakis, according to a report by Variety in May 2024.

Dano, 40, will play Vadim Baranov, the main character. Baranov is an artist-turned-TV producer who “mixes truth with lies, news with propaganda,” and controls society like a reality show while working closely within Russian power.

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