Vertical has successfully acquired the U.S. distribution rights for Andrew Niccol’s highly anticipated crime thriller, “Lords of War,” featuring a compelling cast led by Nicolas Cage and Bill Skarsgård. This significant pre-sale agreement, secured with “Coda” studio Vendôme Pictures, was finalized just ahead of the upcoming CinemaCon event in Las Vegas. Vertical plans to present the initial footage of the film to exhibitors at CinemaCon, setting the stage for its grand theatrical release scheduled for 2027.

Penned and directed by the acclaimed Niccol, “Lords of War” serves as a direct sequel to his critically recognized 2005 film, “Lord of War.” The ensemble cast also includes Laura Harrier, Sylvia Hoeks, and Greg Tarzan Davis, alongside the returning Nicolas Cage, who reprises his iconic role as Yuri Orlov, the world’s most notorious arms dealer.

The plot unfolds with Yuri Orlov discovering he has a son, Anton, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård. Anton is depicted as a ruthless mercenary mastermind with an audacious goal: to not only surpass his infamous father but to build a formidable private army, leveraging America’s ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. This shocking revelation propels Yuri into a perilous struggle for his legacy, igniting a fierce father-son rivalry characterized by intense power dynamics, unbridled ambition, and profound betrayal, all against the backdrop of the volatile global arms trade.

Director Andrew Niccol expressed his long-held desire to delve deeper into the character of Yuri Orlov, whom he describes as Nicolas Cage’s “charming devil” and “merchant of death.” Niccol stated that this latest installment provided him with the perfect opportunity to introduce Yuri’s ultimate adversary: his illegitimate son, Anton, whom he further characterizes as “illegitimate in every sense of the word.” Niccol lauded Skarsgård’s portrayal, describing him as “equally roguish.” The film is set to expose the largely clandestine world of mercenaries, quickly establishing that Anton’s intentions are not to rectify his father’s past wrongdoings, but rather to eclipse them. Niccol also conveyed his delight in partnering with Vertical, noting their full embrace of the film’s vision and its stark portrayal of the “insanity of war.”

Peter Jarowey, a partner at Vertical, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating that the company is thrilled to unveil the first footage of “Lords of War” at CinemaCon. He anticipates that the dynamic confrontation between Nicolas Cage and Bill Skarsgård will provide audiences with a “tense, electrifying ride.” Jarowey also highlighted the enduring impact of the original “Lord of War,” calling it one of his defining crime thrillers, and expressed excitement about collaborating with Andrew Niccol as he revisits the explosive narrative world of Yuri Orlov.

The sequel was produced by Philippe Rousselet and Fabrice Gianfermi, who also produced the original film, under Vendôme Pictures. Andrew Niccol and Nicolas Cage co-produced for Saturn Films. The executive producers list includes Bill Skarsgård, Alice Dawson, Graham Taylor and Christopher Slager from Fifth Season, and Rich Goldberg and Peter Jarowey from Vertical. Sammi Farber served as the associate producer. The deal for U.S. rights was meticulously negotiated by Peter Jarowey on behalf of Vertical, with Vendôme Pictures and CAA Media Finance representing the filmmakers. International sales for “Lords of War” are being managed by FilmNation Entertainment.

Vertical's current and forthcoming slate of films underscores its active presence in the industry, featuring diverse projects such as Padraic McKinley’s “The Weight” starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, Ben Gregor’s “The Magic Faraway Tree” with Andrew Garfield and Clare Foy, and Oliver Assayas’ “The Wizard of the Kremlin” which boasts a cast including Paul Dano, Jude Law, Alicia Vikander, and Jeffrey Wright.