The Wizard of the Kremlin Star, Jude Law, 52 Talks Judo Training, Playing Putin in Huge Venice Film

Jude Law is playing Vladimir Putin for The Wizard of the Kremlin. Let that sink in for a second. The man who was once the impossibly handsome Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley and a charming, if slightly problematic, father in The Holiday is now stepping into the shoes of one of the world’s most notorious autocrats. This isn’t just a casting choice; it’s a statement, and it’s happening in the new political thriller. And honestly, who isn’t here for it?

The Judo Master For The Wizard of the Kremlin

The film, which just premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is based on a novel of the same name and dives into Putin’s ruthless climb to power. But this isn’t just a biopic. It’s framed through the eyes of Vadim Baranov (played by the always-brilliant Paul Dano), a character based on Putin’s real-life political advisor and spin-doctor, Vladislav Surkov.

Think of him as the guy behind the guy, the puppet master pulling the strings of propaganda. It’s a fascinating angle, promising a look not just at the man, but at the machine that built him. When asked about playing such a controversial figure, Law had some… interesting insights. He apparently “learned judo” for the role. That’s right. To embody the man who has held Russia in an iron grip for decades, Jude Law took up a martial art.

You can’t make this stuff up. He quipped on The Hollywood Reporter, “Well, I learned judo, so I took my own positive from that.” A little sarcasm, perhaps? It’s hard to tell, but it’s a refreshingly human answer to a ridiculously loaded question. Law was clear that this isn’t an impersonation. Director Olivier Assayas didn’t want him buried under layers of prosthetics. Instead, they aimed for a “familiarity,” a suggestion of Putin without it being a caricature. 

He explained the difficulty of playing someone whose public persona is a “mask,” a “man without a face.” It’s an actor’s nightmare: how do you portray deep internal emotion when the character’s entire brand is showing none? “I felt that conflict of trying to show very little but feel an awful lot from within,” Law said, “and that was the key, quite honestly.”

A Story That Feels A Little Too Real

Let’s be real, a movie about the rise of an authoritarian leader feels terrifyingly relevant. NBC News reported that Director Olivier Assayas said that The Wizard of the Kremlin is about “how modern politics, 21st-century politics, were invented.” He sees Putin’s rise as the genesis of a type of political evil that has since spread globally. “What’s going on right now is not only terrifying, but especially because we haven’t really seen a relevant reaction or answer to it emerging,” he noted.

He’s not wrong, is he? The Wizard of the Kremlin promises a tense, behind-the-curtain look at the wars, disasters, and political machinations that defined Putin’s ascent. It follows Dano’s character, the “wizard” himself, as he transforms from an idealist into an architect of authoritarian power. It’s a classic tale of selling one’s soul, but this time, the devil is very real and still very much in power. The Wizard of the Kremlin seems poised to be one of those films that’s both fascinating and deeply uncomfortable to watch.

Jude Law Steps Into the Shadows of Power in The Wizard of the Kremlin

The film is a political thriller that isn’t just about the past; it’s holding up a mirror to the present. Movies and shows depicting politics are sure to get people talking. With a cast that includes Law, Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, and Jeffrey Wright, the performances alone are guaranteed to be electric. So, will Jude Law’s judo skills translate into a compelling portrayal of Vladimir Putin? Will The Wizard of the Kremlin offer any real insight into the dark art of modern politics?

We’ll have to wait and see. In a world where political narratives are more manipulated than ever, a film that pulls back the curtain on the “wizard” might be exactly what we need today. What makes The Wizard of the Kremlin particularly fascinating is how it examines the machinery behind authoritarianism rather than just its results. By focusing on the spin doctors and propagandists who enable dictators, the film reveals the human cost of choosing power over principles.

Final Thoughts

The Wizard of the Kremlin premieres at Venice, where it’s already generating significant buzz and probably a few nervous diplomatic phone calls. Whether it will find wide distribution remains to be seen, but Law’s fearless approach to the material suggests this won’t be a film that pulls its punches. As Law noted, finding any positives in Putin’s character proved challenging, though he did manage to learn judo from the experience. Sometimes you take what you can get, even when portraying one of the world’s most controversial leaders.