Jude Law Resembles Putin in ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ Trailer

With his thinning overcomb, level stare and pasty complexion he’s worlds away from the handsome heartthrob we’re usually accustomed to seeing on-screen. 

Better used to romantic comedies, Jude Law has stepped out of his comfort zone to play long-serving Russian President Vladimir Putin in forthcoming biopic The Wizard Of The Kremlin.   

An unlikely an arguably inspired piece of casting by director Olivier Assayas, Law, 52, bears a remarkably striking similarity to Putin in the film’s first official trailer, released on Tuesday. 

The British actor documents Putin’s 1991 departure from the KGB, where he served as lieutenant colonel, to the world of Russian politics and his subsequent journey to the highest echelons of Soviet political power. 

Along the way it will draw attention to Putin’s well documented love of personal fitness and physical outdoor activities, with Law seen working out and jet-skiing as the Russian leader. 

The new film has been adapted for the screen from author Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 novel of the same name focuses on the rise of Putin’s authoritarian regime. 

Here, young artist-turned-TV producer Vadim Baranov – played by American actor Paul Dano – unexpectedly becomes spin doctor for the ambitious Putin as he prepares to embark on his political career. 

A synopsis reads: ‘Working at the heart of Russian power, Baranov blurs truth with lies, the news with propaganda, directing the entire society like one great reality show.

‘Only his love for the magnetic, free-minded Ksenia can turn him away from this dangerous game. 

‘The Wizard of the Kremlin sets out to tell Baranov’s story, and through his eyes, tell the dark secrets of the regime he helped build.’

The book’s author, Giuliano da Empoli, previously worked as a senior adviser to Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. 

According several experts, the prototype of the hero of the book was the Russian official, Vladislav Surkov. 

Russian state press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed to Variety that the Kremlin was aware of the film’s development, but had not been approached for advice. 

The film, which is going to be translated into 30 languages, is being produced by Olivier Delbosc’s banner Curiosa Films and Gaumont.

The Wizard of the Kremlin is co-written by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère. 

Promoting his new venture at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in August, Law admitted there were inevitable challenges in presenting Putin’s character away from the political stage. 

‘We weren’t looking for controversy for controversy’s sake. It’s a character within a much broader story. We weren’t trying to define anything about anyone,’ he told The Guardian. 

‘The tricky side to me was that the public face we see gives very, very little away. There has been a term for him and that is ‘the man without a face’. 

‘There’s a mask. Understandably, Olivier [Assayas] would want me to portray this or that in a scene with a certain emotion, and I felt the conflict of trying to show very little.’ 

The forthcoming film – Assayas’ first in English – also stars Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge, Jeffrey Wright and  Will Keen.

The Wizard Of The Kremlin is expected to go on general release from January 2026.