Vertical secures U.S. rights to 'Lords of War' sequel
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- Vertical secured U.S. distribution rights to Andrew Niccol’s “Lords of War” sequel from Vendôme Pictures (Coda studio) ahead of CinemaCon.
- Andrew Niccol wrote and directed the sequel, reuniting Nicolas Cage as Yuri Orlov and adding Bill Skarsgård as his illegitimate son Anton.
- CinemaCon will showcase the first footage of “Lords of War” next week in Las Vegas, with a theatrical release slated for 2027.
- The film’s synopsis describes a father‑son rivalry over a private army and the exploitation of America’s Middle‑East wars, positioning Anton as a ruthless mercenary mastermind.
- Production team includes original producers Philippe Rousselet and Fabrice Gianfermi, executive producers Bill Skarsgård, Alice Dawson, Graham Taylor, Christopher Slager, Rich Goldberg, and Peter Jarowey, with international sales handled by FilmNation Entertainment.
- Vertical’s portfolio also features upcoming titles such as “The Weight”, “The Magic Faraway Tree”, and “The Wizard of the Kremlin”.
Why it matters: Vertical gains a marquee franchise for its U.S. slate, positioning the company to profit from a high‑profile sequel and enhancing its reputation ahead of a 2027 release, while the filmmakers secure a dedicated distributor for the film’s U.S. theatrical run.
