Jude Law’s Shocking Putin Transformation Revealed in First Look at ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’

The first official images of Jude Law’s dramatic transformation into Russian President Vladimir Putin have been unveiled, offering a striking glimpse into what promises to be one of the most controversial and talked-about films of 2025. The acclaimed British actor takes on the polarizing political figure in Olivier Assayas’ highly anticipated political thriller “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” and the resemblance is nothing short of remarkable.

Uncanny Resemblance Leaves Critics Stunned

The first official look of Law as Putin reveals an “uncanny resemblance” that has already generated significant buzz ahead of the film’s Venice Film Festival premiere. In the released photographs, Law wears a suit and has his hair slicked back while sporting a blank expression, surrounded by what appear to be extras playing members of an Arab delegation. The transformation is so complete that Law looks “every bit Putin-esque” in the stills from the project.

Director Olivier Assayas has praised Law’s commitment to the role, revealing that the actor “completely transformed and reinvented” Putin, adding that he was amazed at how much Law invested to understand the “ins and outs” of Putin—”both the worst and the less worst”. The director noted that Law “was very intimidated at first” and “wanted to talk to Giuliano to get answers from someone who had a precise historical knowledge of the facts”.

Venice Film Festival Premiere Sets Stage for Awards Season

“The Wizard of the Kremlin” will have its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2025. The film’s inclusion in Venice’s prestigious competition lineup positions it as a serious contender for major awards, particularly given Assayas’ track record and the star power of Jude Law’s controversial portrayal.

The Venice premiere marks a significant moment for Assayas, who describes Venice as a “special place for him” where he “screened his first feature, ‘Désordre,’ in 1986 and got the Fipresci Prize”. This return to Venice with such a politically charged project demonstrates the festival’s continued commitment to showcasing challenging, thought-provoking cinema.

The Story Behind The Wizard Of The Kremlin

The film follows the fictional character of Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano) during the final years of the Soviet Union and the turbulent start of the Russian Federation, while a young Vladimir Putin (Jude Law) rises into power. The story is adapted from Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 bestselling book “The Wizard of the Kremlin” by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère.

The character of Vadim Baranov is inspired by the real-life politico Vladislav Sourkov, an artist turned-reality TV producer turned-Putin spin doctor. Set in the early 1990s, the comedic thriller comes full circle years later as Baranov looks back on the post-Soviet system of control and cruelness he helped architect alongside Putin.

Jude Law’s Preparation and Transformation Process

The transformation wasn’t just physical for Jude Law. Law previously admitted he was “absolutely petrified at the thought of taking on the role,” describing it as “an Everest to climb” while he was “in the foothills looking up thinking, ‘Oh Christ, what have I said?’“

Director Assayas revealed insight into Law’s preparation process, explaining that “he mainly watched a lot of newsreels” and worked extensively to understand Putin’s mannerisms and speech patterns. The actor’s dedication to authenticity extended beyond mere physical resemblance to capturing the psychological essence of one of the world’s most controversial political figures.

Star-Studded International Cast

“The Wizard of the Kremlin” boasts an impressive ensemble cast that brings together international talent for this ambitious political drama. Alicia Vikander stars as Baranov’s on-and-off lover, while Jeffrey Wright appears as an American author. The film also stars Will Keen, Tom Sturridge, and other notable performers.

The casting choices reflect Assayas’ vision for a project that hints at “a more comedic, or at least absurdist, approach” while maintaining the serious political themes. This balance between dark comedy and political thriller creates anticipation for how the film will handle such sensitive contemporary material.

Production Challenges and Creative Vision

The film wasn’t easy to finance because of its scope and political implications, and “it was unimaginable that we would shoot in Russia”. Instead, “The Wizard of the Kremlin” shot entirely in Latvia, where “production costs were lower than in most countries” and the locations could effectively double for Russian settings.

Assayas emphasized that “no other country had a setting that could represent the Kremlin, another that could represent the summer home of the Russian president or Novo-Ogaryovo, his suburban residence”. The director noted that if they hadn’t filmed in Latvia, “they would have had to film in five, six, or seven different countries”.

Political Context and Contemporary Relevance

The timing of “The Wizard of the Kremlin” could not be more relevant given ongoing global tensions. Assayas noted that when they were making the film, he “had the impression that all that was almost behind us and that things would probably calm down,” but “in fact it’s not dated at all”. He emphasized that “we are even more in tune with the reality of what is happening in Ukraine today than we were when we wrote it two years ago”.

The director has been clear about the film’s intentions, stating that “Le Mage du Kremlin is not a film about the rise of one man — nor is it about the force with which power is imposed, or the reinvention of a nation that is both modern and archaic, once again under the yoke of totalitarianism”. Instead, it is “a reflection on modern politics — or rather, the smokescreens behind which it now hides: cynical, deceptive, and toxic”.

Critical Expectations and Industry Buzz

Early industry reactions suggest that “The Wizard of the Kremlin” could be a major player in the 2025 awards season. The combination of Jude Law’s transformative performance, Olivier Assayas’ acclaimed direction, and the film’s timely political themes positions it as a potential breakthrough in political cinema.

However, the film has already generated controversy, with fans divided over what some are calling a “political thriller ‘no one asked for'” given the sensitive nature of its subject matter. This polarization only adds to the anticipation surrounding the film’s reception at Venice and beyond.

The film represents Assayas’ “timely English language feature debut” where “the French director pushes the envelope further with a subtle, at times darkly comic portrayal of Vladimir Putin”. This marks a significant departure for the acclaimed auteur known for more intimate character studies.

With its Venice premiere just around the corner, “The Wizard of the Kremlin” stands as one of the most anticipated and controversial films of 2025, promising to spark important conversations about power, politics, and the nature of modern governance while showcasing Jude Law in what may be his most challenging and transformative role to date.

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