Cast and start of filming for Lord of War 2

"Lords of War 2" is in the works! In addition to Nicolas Cage, a number of other actors are joining the cast of "Lords of War". The start of filming has also been announced.

As Variety reports, production is set to begin this month in Belgium and Morocco. In addition to Cage, we can also look forward to Sylvia Hoeks, known from "Blade Runner 2049", as well as "Top Gun: Maverick" actor Greg Tarzan. Also taking part are "It" star Bill Skarsgård and Laura Harrier.

At the center of the plot is the clash between Nicolas Cage's Yuri Orlov and his son Anton, played by Bill Skarsgård. Anton not only follows in his father's footsteps, but surpasses him in his ruthlessness. He has built up his own mercenary army that operates in the Middle East. A dangerous power struggle breaks out between father and son, which not only has global political consequences but also escalates on a personal level.

The film will once again be directed by Andrew Niccol, who is also writing the screenplay. A start date has not yet been set.

Film tips in the style of Lord of War: moral gray areas, global conflicts and charismatic anti-heroes

When "Lord of War" was released in 2005, the film set new standards in the genre of politically tinged crime dramas. Nicolas Cage shone as arms dealer Yuri Orlov – a man who moves with charming composure through a network of conflicts, international power games and morally questionable decisions. The film offered a fascinating mixture of bitter humor, political commentary and unsparing analysis of the global arms trade.

For anyone looking for similarly intense, intelligent and exciting films, here is a selection of titles that are thematically, atmospherically or stylistically in the same vein – and which also focus on antiheroes, moral ambivalence and global conflicts.

Arms & the Dudes (2016)

Todd Phillips' "Arms & the Dudes" is perhaps the most obvious tip for fans of "Lord of War". Based on true events, the film tells the story of two young men from Miami who, via detours, slip into the extremely lucrative business of Pentagon arms contracts. The film resembles a black comedy – cynical, exaggerated and yet frighteningly realistic.

Jonah Hill and Miles Teller deliver a memorable portrayal of two men who navigate with naivety and unscrupulousness through a system that apparently only recognizes moral rules as an option. "Arms & the Dudes" shows that corruption and greed for profit are not the exclusive domain of experienced criminals – youthful recklessness is often enough to get caught up in the machinery of international arms supplies.

The International (2009)

While "Lord of War" focuses on the arms trade, "The International" is dedicated to the opaque dealings of global banks. Clive Owen plays an Interpol investigator who is on the trail of a major bank that not only launders money but is also actively involved in armed conflicts. The thriller combines brilliant camerawork, a constantly rising tension curve and a gripping shoot-out in the Guggenheim Museum, which has almost achieved cult status in film history. Anyone who appreciates the political level of "Lord of War" will find a convincing, gripping alternative with a high degree of realism here.

Sicario (2015)

Denis Villeneuve's "Sicario" may not deal with the arms trade, but it shares many essential elements with "Lord of War": the moral gray area in which state institutions operate, the opaque dynamics of global conflicts and people caught between duty, morality and personal survival.

Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro embody characters who find themselves caught up in the brutal reality of the Mexican drug war – a war that is driven by profit, power and political interests just as much as the conflicts that Yuri Orlov supplies. The film is dark, uncompromising and intense.

Traffic (2000)

Stephen Soderbergh's ensemble drama "Traffic" sheds light on the drug trade from several perspectives: cartel leaders, US politicians, corrupt police officers and ordinary families. This multi-plot approach shows how complex and globally entangled illegal markets are - similar to the arms trade in "Lord of War". What makes the film special is its realism. Traffic does not judge, but shows – and it is precisely this sober, almost documentary-like narrative that can also be found in Niccol's masterpiece.

Blood Diamond (2006)

If "Lord of War" shows the moral abysses of the arms trade, then "Blood Diamond" illuminates the bloody reality behind the diamond trade.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays a mercenary and smuggler who hunts for a valuable rough diamond in a Sierra Leone shaken by civil war. Djimon Hounsou delivers one of the most emotional performances of his career. As in "Lord of War", it questions global economic systems that profit from violence – and also shows how international demand keeps local conflicts alive.

Conclusion

"Lord of War" is a movie that goes far beyond pure entertainment. It shows the global structures behind wars, power games and profits – and this is exactly what many other films do, which at first glance may not appear to be in the same genre. Whether it's about weapons, drugs, diamonds or political intrigue, these film tips show how multi-layered cinema can be when it comes to moral gray areas and the dark sides of global power structures.