First Trailer Released for The Wizard of the Kremlin

Vertical Entertainment has released the first official trailer for "The Wizard of the Kremlin," a political drama directed by Olivier Assayas that explores the rise of Vladimir Putin in post-Soviet Russia. The film, starring Jude Law as the future Russian leader and Paul Dano as his cunning advisor Vadim Baranov, is scheduled for theatrical release in North American theaters on May 15, 2026.

The story, adapted from Giuliano da Empoli's 2022 novel "Le Mage du Kremlin," centers on the chaotic years following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. It depicts a young KGB officer, played by Law, partnering with Baranov, a fictional spin doctor inspired by Vladislav Surkov, a key figure in Russian politics. Together, they employ deception, corruption, and manipulation to consolidate power, escalating from lies and political intrigue to assassinations, authoritarian control, and eventual war. The narrative unfolds across Moscow, London, and other global capitals, spanning from the late 1980s to the 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Assayas, known for films like "Clouds of Sils Maria" and "Personal Shopper," co-wrote the screenplay with Emmanuel Carrère. The ensemble cast also includes Alicia...