Cosmo Jarvis, star of FX’s smash hit series “Shōgun,” will star as future Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in “Young Stalin.” Géla Babluani (“13 Tzameti,” “Money”) has signed on to direct the period thriller that is being financed by Len Blavatnik‘s Access Entertainment, which backed Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar-winning Holocaust film “The Zone of Interest” and last year’s “Conclave.”
Based on the acclaimed bestseller by Simon Sebag Montefiore, “Young Stalin” charts the early days of the Soviet strongman when he was a bank-robbing gangster in pre-revolutionary Russia. Babluani and Sebag Montefiore wrote the screenplay for the film that is also being backed by AI Film and Monte Rosso Prods.
Set against the backdrop of Imperial Russia’s criminal underworld and revolutionary ferment, the film explores the making of the bloody dictator who would reshape the 20th century through terror, war and ideology — and the largest bank heist in Russian history, according to the logline.
Director Géla Babluani said: “I’ve always been drawn to stories that live in the shadows, and there’s no shadow longer than Stalin’s. This isn’t a portrait of power — it’s a descent into the fire that forged it. With Cosmo, we have a lead actor who understands danger, charm and the fractures of identity.”
Upgrade is presenting the package to international buyers in Cannes. Principal photography is set to begin in Tbilisi in July.
Sam Taylor of F&ME (“Before the Rain”) is producing alongside Archil Gelovani of IFP (“April”), Vladimer Katcharava of 20 Steps (“Girls of the Sun”) and Alexander Kushaev (“The Painted Bird”). Blavatnik is executive producing with Danny Cohen and Vince Holden. Rupert Lloyd, Gunda Bergman and Esko Rips round out the producing team.
“Stalin’s early life as a bank-robber is an extraordinary and largely unknown story, driven by revolutionary zeal and characterized by violence, betrayal and lust for power,” Cohen added.
Jarvis’ upcoming projects include Guy Ritchie‘s next film, “Wife & Dog,” and he recently starred in A24’s Iraq War thriller “Warfare.” He is repped by UTA and the Artists Partnership.
#Cosmo #Jarvis #Play #Joseph #Stalin #Biopic #Young #Stalin
