Sukhorukov to Play Khrushchev Again, Mirkurbanov Cast as Stalin

Director Vladimir Bortko has announced the cast for his upcoming film "Stalin," set to begin filming in March, with Igor Mirkurbanov taking the title role and Viktor Sukhorukov portraying Nikita Khrushchev.

Mar 5, 2026

Director Vladimir Bortko, who is helming the new biographical film «Stalin».
Source:
Mikhail Ognev / FONTANKA.RU

Vladimir Bortko announced that in his upcoming film «Stalin», the role of the Soviet leader will be played by Igor Mirkurbanov, and Nikita Khrushchev will be portrayed by Viktor Sukhorukov.

Filming is scheduled for March and will take place in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Sochi. The film«s premiere is slated for October 2026, with preparatory work currently underway.

The director has repeatedly expressed his desire to make this biographical film. The screenplay was written by him together with friends who have doctoral degrees, back in 2011.

The film will cover the period of Stalin«s life from the victory in the Great Patriotic War (World War II) to his death in March 1953. »This is the story of his life from the peak — victory in the Great Patriotic War — to his death in March 1953, presumably a murder,« Bortko said. »For a number of reasons, the film was not made. But I am haunted by this personality, whose actions — both positive and sharply negative — are closely connected with the life of Russia. Moreover, the life of our country, its very existence, is directly connected with his activities.«

Viktor Sukhorukov already has experience portraying Khrushchev — he played the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) in the TV series «Furtseva. The Legend of Catherine» and «Star of the Era».

Earlier, in 2016, Vladimir Bortko considered other actors for the role of Stalin — Armen Dzhigarkhanyan or Oleg Basilashvili.