Gaumont has unveiled the first trailer for «The Wizard of the Kremlin,» a political drama centered on the rise to power of a young Vladimir Putin.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Giuliano da Empoli, with a screenplay by Olivier Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère. It examines the intricate political maneuvering in post-Soviet Russia and Putin’s ascent to power.
Paul Dano stars as Vadim Baranov, a fictional character inspired by real-life Kremlin power broker Vladislav Surkov, a political strategist and adviser.
Jude Law portrays Putin, depicted in the film as a cold, calculating former KGB agent.
The trailer also features Alicia Vikander as Baranov’s wife, Ksenia; Tom Sturridge as a banker and oligarch resembling Mikhail Khodorkovsky; Will Keen as Boris Berezovsky; and Jeffrey Wright as an American journalist to whom Baranov reveals his story.
Filming took place in the spring of 2025, with the first on-set photos of Law as Putin released in March. Notably, Law previously expressed uncertainty about taking on the role of Putin, describing it as a challenge akin to climbing Mount Everest.
«The Wizard of the Kremlin» premiered on Aug. 31, 2025, at the Venice Film Festival. Despite receiving a standing ovation, critics were less enthusiastic. According to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of approximately 50 percent.
