Cosmo Jarvis to Play Joseph Stalin in Gritty Biopic ‘Young Stalin’

May 15, 2025 : ‘Shōgun’ breakout Cosmo Jarvis has been cast as Joseph Stalin in the upcoming biopic Young Stalin, a dark period thriller that will explore the Soviet dictator’s violent and tumultuous early years.

Directed by Gela Babluani, the film is being backed by Len Blavatnik’s Access Entertainment along with AI Film and Monte Rosso Productions, reported Variety. The screenplay, penned by Babluani and acclaimed historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, is adapted from Montefiore’s bestselling biography Young Stalin.

Set in pre-revolutionary Imperial Russia, the story will delve into Stalin’s transformation from a bank-robbing revolutionary to the future architect of a totalitarian regime. At the heart of the film is the largest bank heist in Russian history, which helped finance Bolshevik activities — a true-life event steeped in violence, deception, and underground politics.

“I’ve always been drawn to stories that live in the shadows, and there’s no shadow longer than Stalin’s,” said director Babluani. “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.”

Montefiore added that Stalin’s early years were “driven by revolutionary zeal and characterised by violence, betrayal and lust for power”, making for a narrative ripe with psychological complexity and historical weight.

Jarvis, known for his intense and layered performances, is poised to bring a gritty realism to the role. His upcoming projects include Guy Ritchie’s “Wife & Dog” and the A24 Iraq War thriller “Warfar”, solidifying his rise as a versatile and in-demand actor.

Young Stalin aims to peel back the myth and menace surrounding one of history’s most feared leaders, offering a rare glimpse into the making of a dictator whose impact shaped the 20th century through terror and ideology.