Armie Hammer’s ‘Citizen Vigilante’ Secures International Sales Deal

The independent action thriller Citizen Vigilante, featuring Armie Hammer, has successfully closed its first international sales deal ahead of the American Film Market (AFM). The film, directed by acclaimed German filmmaker Uwe Boll, has been acquired by the new distributor Free Wind for German-speaking Europe, marking a significant step in Hammer’s career revival.

Director Uwe Boll expressed his satisfaction with the film’s reception, stating, “We’re very happy about the great demand for Armie Hammer in Citizen Vigilante. In difficult times for the movie business, it is very encouraging to see that with the right story and the right star, independent movies can still work.” With several U.S. buyers reportedly interested, the film is generating considerable buzz in the industry.

Citizen Vigilante portrays Hammer as Sanders, a vigilante who takes justice into his own hands. While he earns the admiration of the public, he faces opposition from Interpol chief Henry, played by Costas Mandylor, who views him as a threat to societal order. The film was shot in Croatia in January 2023 and was initially titled The Dark Knight. The title change was likely a strategic move to avoid legal complications with Warner Bros., the studio behind the successful Batman franchise.

Free Wind, established by veteran executive Benjamin Krause, has a history of collaboration with Boll, having previously worked together on the film Max Schmeling in 2010. Krause stated, “We are very happy to continue our long collaboration with Uwe with Citizen Vigilante.”

This film is among several low-budget projects Hammer is pursuing as he attempts to rebuild his career following a turbulent period marked by allegations of sexual misconduct. The actor, known for his roles in The Social Network and Call Me By Your Name, faced significant professional setbacks in 2021, leading to his departure from talent agency WME and widespread public scrutiny. Although he has consistently denied the allegations, the Los Angeles prosecutors opted not to file charges against him in 2023 after a lengthy investigation.

In addition to Citizen Vigilante, Hammer is involved in upcoming projects, including the period western Frontier Crucible, directed by Travis Mills, and the neo-noir film Night Driver from director John Bevilacqua. Both films are currently in post-production.

In a recent email interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hammer expressed a willingness to start anew, stating, “I don’t need to be back making big studio films. I’m happy just making fun, smaller movies for now.”

Uwe Boll, who returned to filmmaking with the crime drama First Shift last year, is actively developing new projects. His latest film, a refugee drama titled Run, featuring actors Amanda Plummer, James Russo, Ulrich Thomsen, and Barkhad Abdi, is set for a worldwide release on November 14, 2023. Additionally, Boll is working on two sequels to First Shift: First Shift: Vengeance and First Shift: Redemption, both currently in post-production.

As Citizen Vigilante gains traction, it marks a pivotal moment for Hammer as he navigates his way back into the film industry, demonstrating that independent cinema still holds potential even in challenging times.