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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Claes Bang Joins Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey in Cold War Thriller ‘Billion Dollar Spy' Directed by Amma Asante (EXCLUSIVE)
Claes Bang ('The Square,' 'The Northman') stars as a KGB counterintelligence officer in 'Billion Dollar Spy,' a cold war thriller headlined by Oscar-winner Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey ('Industry'). Directed by BAFTA winner Amma Asante ('A Way of Life'), the film is produced by Walden Media and Weed Road Pictures. More from Variety Tarik Saleh on His Cannes Thriller 'Eagles of the Republic' Forming a 'Cairo Trilogy' With 'Boy From Heaven' and 'Nile Hilton Incident:' 'It's About Men Trying to Defeat a City that Cannot Be Defeated' (EXCLUSIVE) 'The History of Sound' Review: Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor Star in a Gay Period Romance That's Like 'Brokeback Mountain' on Sedatives Neon Acquires North American Rights to Kleber Mendonça Filho's 'The Secret Agent' Now shooting in Budapest, 'Billion Dollar Spy' is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author David E. Hoffman's book by the same name, about the true story of Soviet spy Adolf Tolkachev. Ben August ('Class Rank,' 'Remember') and Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan ('Traffic') penned the screenplay. Variety revealed a first look of the film last week, as Cannes market kicked off. Crowe stars as Tolkachev, who was among the CIA's most invaluable assets during the Cold War. Disillusioned with the Soviet regime, Tolkachev risked his life to pass thousands of pages of top-secret intelligence to the United States. Lawtey plays his CIA handler inside Moscow Station. The cast is completed by Vera Farmiga, Willa Fitzgerald, Tony Goldwyn, Rufus Sewell and Justin Theroux. Frank Smith, Benjamin Tappan, and Cher Hawrysh of Walden Media are producing alongside Akiva Goldsman and Greg Lessans of Weed Road Pictures. Jane Hooks serves as an executive producer. Pioneer Stillking Films' Ildiko Kemeny, David Minkowski, and Ferenc Szále will serve as co-producers. Naia Cucukov is an executive producer. Bang became an international star after his breakout performance in Ruben Östlund's Oscar-nominated feature 'The Square' which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2017, and six European Film Awards, including best actor for Claes. The actor's main credits also include 'William Tell;' 'The Northman;' 'Bonjour Tristesse;' 'The Girl in the Spider's Web' and the upcoming 'Wrecking Crew.' Bang is represented by UTA and UK-based Sharkey & Co. Best of Variety All the Godzilla Movies Ranked Final Oscar Predictions: International Feature – United Kingdom to Win Its First Statuette With 'The Zone of Interest' 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations in Northern Ireland to Open as Tourist Attractions
See - Sada Elbalad
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Russell Crowe to Star in Cold War Thriller "Billion Dollar Spy"
Walden Media and Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road Pictures are making the Cold War thriller "Billion Dollar Spy", with Oscar winner Russell Crowe and Industry's Harry Lawtey attached to star. Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan (Traffic, Syriana) wrote the most recent draft, revising a script penned by Ben August. The screenplay is adapted from the bestselling book by David E. Hoffman. BAFTA Award winner Amma Asante (Belle, A Way of Life, A United Kingdom) will direct. The project is in pre-production. Set against the high-stakes backdrop of the late Cold War, "Billion Dollar Spy" follows Adolf Tolkachev (Crowe), an ordinary man who risks everything to pass thousands of pages of top-secret Soviet intelligence to the U.S. Despite repeated rejections by a wary CIA, Tolkachev persisted, embodying the courage to stand against a regime that betrayed its own people. Finally finding an ally in CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey), Tolkachev was able to fundamentally shift the balance of power, proving that true patriotism lies not in blind allegiance but in the willingness to challenge a government when it strays from its ideals. In an era when resistance and bravery are more relevant than ever, his story resonates deeply. Frank Smith, Benjamin Tappan and Cher Hawrysh of Walden Media are producing alongside Goldsman and Greg Lessans of Weed Road. Jane Hooks will serve as an EP. Pioneer Stillking Films' Ildiko Kemeny, David Minkowski and Ferenc Szále will serve as co-producers. Hanway Films is handling international sales.
