Jude Law Transforms into Vladimir Putin: A Daring Debut at Venice

The world of theatre is buzzing with anticipation as acclaimed actor Jude Law takes on perhaps his most audacious role yet: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Debuting at the prestigious Venice Film Festival as part of the Biennale Teatro program, Law stars in Thomas Ostermeier's highly anticipated stage adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli's best-selling novel, "The Wizard of the Kremlin."

Law's portrayal of the enigmatic leader is drawing significant attention, marking a powerful return to the stage for the British actor.

Speaking about the immense challenge, Law revealed the extensive preparation involved. He immersed himself in a vast array of materials, from comprehensive biographies and nuanced political analyses to revealing documentaries and insightful interviews, all in an earnest effort to understand the complex man behind the headlines.

“He’s not an easy man to pin down,” Law commented on Putin, highlighting the leader’s shifting persona over the years.

“He’s a man who has changed. The man we know now is a very, very different man from the one who came to power.” This intricate psychological evolution, from an intelligence officer to an authoritarian head of state, is precisely what the play endeavors to explore with depth and nuance.

Directed by the visionary Thomas Ostermeier, the play is described as a radical reinterpretation of da Empoli's acclaimed novel.

It offers a fascinating and often chilling glimpse into the isolated corridors of power, meticulously tracing Putin’s dramatic ascent and the intricate web of influence, loyalty, and manipulation that defines the Kremlin. The narrative is primarily told through the eyes of Vadim Baranov, a fictional, charismatic spin doctor and former TV producer who serves as Putin’s close adviser, offering a unique, intimate, and often unsettling perspective on the leader’s motivations and the inner workings of his mind.

“The Wizard of the Kremlin” promises to delve deep into universal themes of power, propaganda, absolute authority, and the profound isolation that comes with ultimate leadership.

Law’s compelling performance, combined with Ostermeier’s masterful directorial prowess, is set to offer audiences a thought-provoking, timely, and unforgettable examination of one of the 21st century’s most controversial and influential figures.

The play’s world premiere on September 19 is undoubtedly one of the paramount highlights of the Venice Film Festival’s theatre section.

Law's proven ability to embody such complex and historically significant characters, evident in his upcoming role as Henry VIII, makes his powerful portrayal of Putin an unmissable and critically important theatrical event.