Lord Of War 2 with Nicolas Cage begins filming for 2027
Andrew Niccol directs Nicolas Cage in the Lord Of War sequel, which adds Bill Skarsgård as Cage's character's son.
Lord Of War 2 begins filming in November 2025, over two years after its initial announcement. Andrew Niccol returns to write and direct the sequel to his 2005 crime drama, with Nicolas Cage reprising the role of Yuri Orlov. The film is a crime thriller sequel set for release in 2027.
Cage is the only original cast member returning from the 2005 film. He plays Yuri Orlov, the arms trafficker who sold weapons during and after the final years of the Soviet Union in the original. Lord of War is considered one of Nicolas Cage's best movies for his acting.
New blood in the cast
Bill Skarsgård joins the project as Yuri's son Anton. The sequel also co-stars Laura Harrier, Sylvia Hoeks, and Greg Tarzan Davis. Bill Skarsgård, Alice Dawson, Graham Taylor, Christopher Slager, Rich Goldberg, and Peter Jarowey served as executive producers.
This will be the first time Nicolas Cage and Bill Skarsgård have shared the screen together. Vertical has picked up the rights to release Lord Of War 2 in US cinemas.
The story so far
The sequel finds Yuri Orlov confronting a generational rivalry with his son Anton as they both seek power in the arms trade. It follows Yuri Orlov discovering he has a son. The film explores a father-son rivalry fueled by power, ambition, and betrayal.
Andrew Niccol stated the film introduces Yuri Orlov's ultimate rival: his illegitimate son Anton. The conflict between Yuri and Anton is a generational divide that will be the biggest selling point of the film. The sequel's synopsis reads: 'A ruthless mercenary mastermind bent on surpassing his father by building a private army and exploiting America's wars in the Middle East.'
Release and reception
Vertical released the trailer for 'Lords of War,' a sequel to the 2005 film 'Lord of War'. The film is slated for a 2027 theatrical release via Vertical, with the trailer now available ahead of the January 22 debut.
Accounts differ on the precise release timeline. One account states the movie comes to theaters on January 22, 2027. Another states a trailer was released with a release towards the end of 2027 planned. Vertical released the 'Lords of War' teaser on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The plan is to release Lord Of War 2 in US cinemas at some point in 2027. There is hope for a UK cinema release.
Andrew Niccol said: "It’s taken years of trying, but writer-director Andrew Niccol finally got his arms trade thriller sequel going last year." The sequel is titled 'Lords of War' and stars Nicolas Cage and Bill Skarsgård. It arrives in US cinemas on January 22, 2027.
