Cosmo Jarvis, the actor widely recognized for his intense role as John Blackthorne in Shogun, is now stepping into a strikingly different character. In a new film titled Young Stalin, Jarvis is set to portray one of history’s most controversial figures—Joseph Stalin, not as the Soviet ruler we know, but as a young, rebellious revolutionary and even a daring bank robber. The upcoming movie will begin filming in July in Tbilisi, Georgia, with international sales currently being handled at Cannes.
Directed by Géla Babluani, who previously worked on the thriller 13 Tzameti, the movie is adapted from Simon Sebag Montefiore’s well-researched book published in 2007. The screenplay is a collaborative effort between Babluani and Montefiore, promising a dramatic retelling of Stalin’s lesser-known early days. The film, backed by production companies including Access Entertainment, AI Film, and Monte Rosso Production, aims to uncover the youthful energy, danger, and ambition that shaped one of history’s most feared leaders.
Cosmo Jarvis, thanks to his portrayal of the strong-willed John Blackthorne in FX’s Shogun, which swept the 2024 Primetime Emmys with 18 wins, seems like a solid choice for this complex role. According to Variety, the film will focus on Stalin’s involvement in what has been described as the “largest bank heist in Russian history.” It’s an angle that many viewers may not be familiar with—a far cry from the political dictator image often shown in textbooks.
Géla Babluani shared that he’s always been fascinated by stories that linger in darkness. And what’s darker than the path that led to Stalin’s rise? According to Babluani, Young Stalin is not meant to glorify power but to peel back the layers and dive into the chaos and fire that created it. With Jarvis on board, he believes the film will capture both the charm and the danger that lived within the young revolutionary.
Executive producer Danny Cohen described the story as filled with betrayal, violence, and an unrelenting hunger for change. It’s a story that reveals a side of Stalin many have never explored, making Young Stalin a rare entry into the historical thriller genre.
For Cosmo Jarvis, this role is both familiar and new. He’s no stranger to historical dramas. His performances in period films like Lady Macbeth, The Alto Knights, and Peaky Blinders have earned him a reputation for sinking deep into roles shaped by the past. Even in more recent stories like A24’s Warfare, Jarvis holds onto an intensity that keeps audiences watching.
In Shogun, Jarvis played a composed and calculating man, filled with quiet strength. But Young Stalin is set to bring out something more volatile in him—a fiery, unpredictable, and dangerously driven character. It’s a chance for him to tap into a deeper well of emotion and complexity. Unlike his more restrained roles, this part demands a raw performance full of conflict, rage, and youthful ambition.
Jarvis’ ability to portray characters that walk a thin line between right and wrong may be exactly what Young Stalin needs. He brings layers to the screen—layers that can show a man torn between revolution and ruthlessness, loyalty and ambition. While we’ve seen him hold a sword and speak softly in Shogun, now we’ll watch him wield ideology and rebellion in a story filled with real-world consequences.
This film could very well open up a new chapter in Jarvis’ career. By embodying a younger Joseph Stalin, he’ll be portraying someone in transition—a man not yet corrupted by total power, but already walking toward it with determination and risk. This role will challenge him to play a character full of charm and danger at the same time, someone who could be both hero and villain in the same breath.
Though Stalin has been portrayed in previous films, Young Stalin promises to offer something completely different. Unlike Robert Duvall’s portrayal in the 1992 TV film Stalin or the more satirical take in 2017’s The Death of Stalin, this movie places the spotlight on Stalin’s early days—before the iron fist, before the dictatorship.
What makes Young Stalin especially unique is its mixture of true crime and historical drama. Viewers will not only get a look at a revolutionary figure in the making but will also experience a tense thriller about a real bank heist that helped fund a movement. It’s the kind of story that makes history feel immediate, alive, and unpredictable.
At a time when moviegoers are craving fresh narratives and historical stories with grit, this film might be exactly what the industry needs. It gives audiences something they’ve rarely seen: Stalin not as the established leader of the Soviet Union, but as a young man with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
For Cosmo Jarvis fans, this is exciting news. He continues to pick roles that surprise and challenge him—and this might be his boldest one yet. The story of Young Stalin is packed with tension, and with a cast and crew focused on authenticity and emotion, it could become one of the most talked-about films of the year.
This isn’t just about portraying a historical figure. It’s about showing the transformation of a young rebel into one of the most feared names in world politics. It’s a rare chance for a rising actor like Jarvis to make a lasting impression on both critics and audiences. If he pulls it off, this role could solidify him not just as a strong period actor but as a star who knows how to carry weighty, unpredictable roles.
The filming in Georgia and the involvement of multiple international producers show that Young Stalin is being taken seriously. The backing from names like Access Entertainment and AI Film shows confidence in both the story and the actor bringing it to life.
If you’re a fan of thrillers, history, or simply watching powerful performances unfold, this film might be one to watch. With Cosmo Jarvis leading the charge, the character of Stalin will be seen in a completely new way—through the lens of youthful ambition, intense ideology, and a life-altering heist.
You can keep up with further updates about Young Stalin and Cosmo Jarvis’ growing list of roles through sources like Screen Rant and Variety, where his transition from Shogun‘s Anjin to Stalin’s world is already creating buzz.
As fans and critics await his performance, one thing is clear: Cosmo Jarvis is not afraid of the shadows. And in Young Stalin, he’s about to dive into the darkest one yet.
