The idea of turning Vladimir Putin’s rise to power into a prestige drama is inherently provocative, but it becomes downright electric when two-time Oscar-nominee Jude Law and auteur Olivier Assayas are the ones doing it.
The Wizard of the Kremlin adapts Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 best-seller—already translated into more than thirty languages and winner of France’s Grand Prix du Roman—into a sweeping political thriller that explores how Russia’s fractious post-Soviet vacuum evolved into a tightly choreographed power structure.
Law plays Putin in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a period that saw the former KGB officer leap from obscurity to the presidency.
Image: Frederic Auerbach, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
From Page-Turner to Prestige Cinema
Da Empoli’s novel is framed through the eyes of Vadim Baranov, a fictional spin-doctor modeled on real Kremlin strategist Vladislav Surkov. It reads like insider nonfiction—complete with real oligarchs, media moguls, and Western leaders—yet remains a character study about the seduction of power. Surkov’s reputation for “managed democracy” and post-modern propaganda provides the skeleton of the story, but the novel’s success owes as much to its literary flourish as to its topical relevance. That combination drew Assayas, who has a history of translating complex geopolitical material (Carlos, Wasp Network) into riveting cinema.
Casting That Raises Eyebrows—and Expectations
- Jude Law as Vladimir Putin – Set photos from the March 2025 Riga shoot show Law in a sharply tailored black overcoat, patent-leather shoes, and the bright yellow tie Putin favored in his early Kremlin years. The actor reportedly worked with Russian dialect coaches and a movement specialist to capture Putin’s clipped gait and controlled body language. In press interviews Law called the part “an Everest to climb,” noting that the greatest challenge is conveying Putin’s opacity without slipping into caricature.
- Paul Dano as Vadim Baranov – Fresh off The Fabelmans and The Batman, Dano plays the novel’s anti-hero: a once-idealistic theater director who reinvents himself as a kingmaker. The role positions Dano opposite Law in scenes that dramatize Putin’s behind-the-scenes grooming.
- Alicia Vikander as Ksenia – The Oscar winner portrays a free-spirited socialite who becomes Baranov’s confidante and emotional counterweight. Industry buzz suggests the character is loosely inspired by media personality Ksenia Sobchak, whose father once mentored Putin.
- Zach Galifianakis, Tom Sturridge, and Jeffrey Wright round out a supporting cast that mirrors the novel’s blend of political insiders and opportunistic oligarchs.
Assayas co-wrote the screenplay with celebrated novelist Emmanuel Carrère, which should temper expectations that the film will simply recount Putin’s biography. Instead, the narrative foregrounds Baranov’s moral compromises as he engineers Putin’s public image—echoing modern debates about spin, social media manipulation, and the weaponization of truth.
Production Snapshot
Principal photography wrapped in Riga, Latvia, chosen for its well-preserved Soviet architecture and a generous film-rebate scheme. Sets recreated Moscow landmarks such as the State Duma corridor and the Kremlin’s inner courtyard, while interiors were built on a French soundstage to maintain confidentiality. Award-winning cinematographer Yorick Le Saux (A Bigger Splash, Personal Shopper) shot on 35 mm to give the film a cold, grainy texture reminiscent of ‘90s news archives.
Post-production is underway in Paris, with long-time Assayas editor Marion Monnier crafting what insiders describe as a propulsive, two-and-a-half-hour cut. Gaumont and Curiosa Films are reportedly eyeing a Venice or Toronto 2025 premiere, followed by a strategic awards-season rollout.
Why This Film Matters Now
The Wizard of the Kremlin arrives at a moment when global attention has refocused on Russian politics, misinformation, and strongman strategies. The project joins a small but growing list of attempts to dramatize Putin on screen, yet it differs from recent docudramas by grounding the story in a fictional proxy. This narrative distance allows filmmakers to explore ethical gray zones without getting bogged down in legal vetting or Kremlin pushback.
Meanwhile, Law’s casting underscores a broader industry trend of cross-Atlantic prestige players tackling controversial real-world figures—think Gary Oldman’s Churchill or Adam Driver’s Maurizio Gucci. For Law, whose portfolio ranges from The Young Pope to Captain Marvel, the part could become a career-defining turn if he balances authenticity with dramatic nuance.
What to Watch Next
- Festival Circuit Announcement – Expect confirmation of a world-premiere slot by mid-summer if the film locks picture in time for Venice.
- Teaser Trailer – A first-look teaser is rumored for late summer, timed to capitalise on the novel’s English-language paperback release.
- Critical Discourse – Given debate over the book’s portrayal of Russia, early reviews will likely scrutinize whether the film romanticizes or critiques Putinism.
With filming complete and post-production in high gear, The Wizard of the Kremlin is poised to become one of 2025’s most talked-about political dramas. Between Assayas’ track record for cerebral thrillers and Jude Law’s ambitious transformation, the project promises a rare combination of artistic prestige and geopolitical relevance—just in time for an awards season that loves nothing more than a fearless biographical performance.
More Jude Law: Star Wars – Skeleton Crew
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew wrapped its eight-episode first season on Disney+ in January 2025, but fresh revelations keep the conversation lively. Set in 9 ABY—five years after Return of the Jedi—the coming-of-age adventure follows four kids stranded on the galactic frontier under the watch of enigmatic teacher-turned-smuggler Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law). A brand-new feature in Star Wars Insider #232 (June 24, 2025) digs into the series’ Spielberg-style tone and confirms the creative team always intended the show to capture the wonder and danger of being a kid in the wider galaxy.
Lucasfilm has not announced a second season, yet industry chatter on June 25 suggests Jude Law’s character is being positioned for future cross-platform stories. Even without an official renewal, that signals Skeleton Crew could become a springboard for New Republic–era storytelling across Disney+ and the big screen.
Key Takeaways
- Skeleton Crew is set in 9 ABY during the early New Republic, contemporaneous with The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka.
- The coming-of-age story blends Amblin-style adventure with Star Wars lore, spotlighting everyday citizens after the Empire’s fall.
- Season 1 streamed weekly from December 2024 to January 2025; Season 2 remains unconfirmed.
- Jude Law’s Jod Na Nawood is rumored for future Star Wars projects—even if the series itself does not continue.
- Star Wars Insider #232 offers new cast insights, reinforcing the show’s emphasis on youth, curiosity, and moral complexity.
Chronological Placement & Thematic Scope
By anchoring the narrative in 9 ABY, the writers explore a galaxy still healing from Imperial occupation. Power vacuums, fledgling institutions, and scattered Force lore form the backdrop for the children’s odyssey, allowing the series to examine how ordinary people process legends of Jedi and Sith that feel half myth, half history.
The New Republic’s logistical headaches—pirate raids, planetary disputes, and resource shortages—create both obstacles and opportunities for young adventurers. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker’s nascent Jedi academy looms at the edge of the timeline, keeping the Force present as an almost folkloric undercurrent rather than a front-and-center spectacle.
Character Journeys
Jod Na Nawood walks a moral tightrope: once a respected educator within the Core Worlds, now a resourceful rogue haunted by past compromises. Jude Law balances warmth and unpredictability, prompting fan theories about how his choices might ripple into future New Republic plots.
The four protagonists—played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Kyriana Kratter, and Robert Timothy Smith—embody divergent survival instincts: leadership, technical savvy, empathy, and street smarts. Their arcs revolve around earning trust, defining home, and learning that good vs. evil
is rarely binary during political upheaval.
Season 1’s antagonist, a former Imperial quartermaster turned pirate lord, ends the finale captured but unrepentant, leaving room for either redemption or escalation if the story continues—on Skeleton Crew or elsewhere.
Season 2 Prospects
Lucasfilm’s silence on renewal has fueled speculation rather than dampened it. The creative team has scripts roughed out for a follow-up, focusing on:
- Deeper exploration of the Outer Rim’s nascent trade routes and the criminal syndicates exploiting them.
- An expanded role for New Republic Rangers, tying into threads from Ahsoka.
- Revelations about Jod’s pre-Empire academic career and why he abandoned it.
- A potential cameo by a young Ben Solo, foreshadowing the sequel-era Jedi crisis.
Even if a second season never materializes, the rumored return of Jod Na Nawood in other media suggests that the first season’s events will echo through the broader canon.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did Skeleton Crew premiere?
The series debuted on Disney+ on December 4, 2024, with weekly episodes concluding on January 22, 2025.
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 consists of eight episodes, each running 35–45 minutes.
Is Season 2 confirmed?
No. Lucasfilm has expressed interest but has not officially green-lit a second season.
Will Jude Law return to the role?
Current reports indicate Lucasfilm plans to feature Jod Na Nawood in future Star Wars projects, regardless of whether Skeleton Crew itself is renewed.
How does the show connect to The Mandalorian timeline?
Both series unfold in the early New Republic era (circa 9 ABY). While there are no direct crossovers yet, shared political events—piracy in the Mid Rim, widespread Imperial remnants—provide organic pathways for future interwoven storylines.
