Paul Dano Talks Playing Vladimir Putin’s Secret Puppet Master in “The Wizard of the Kremlin”

How do you build a tyrant? In this exclusive interview, actor Paul Dano breaks down his complex role in Olivier Assayas’ highly anticipated political drama, The Wizard of the Kremlin.

Dano opens up about the psychological blueprint of his character—a fictionalized media mastermind pulling the strings behind Vladimir Putin’s (played by Jude Law) rise to power. We dive deep into the dark mechanics of modern propaganda, what it was like filming a tense political epic, and how the production team captured the terrifying, invisible systems shaping real-world geopolitics.

What did you think of Paul Dano’s take on the dark art of political manipulation? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Olivier Assayas on the Machinery of Power: THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN Interview

How does modern power truly operate? In this exclusive interview, acclaimed director Olivier Assayas breaks down the machinery of global power, political manipulation, and the cinematic crafting of his latest film, The Wizard of the Kremlin.

Assayas pulls back the curtain on his creative process, including a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how he collaborated with Jude Law via Zoom to develop Law’s intense portrayal of Vladimir Putin. We dive deep into the adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli’s hit novel, working with Paul Dano, and why this political thriller is more relevant today than ever.