Russian actor Yura Borisov set for a demanding classical role and a high-profile American film after recent international acclaim.
Actor Yura Borisov, who has been garnering significant international attention, is embarking on two notable projects that underscore his rising profile. In the coming theatrical season, he is slated to perform the iconic role of Hamlet at the Moscow Art Theatre (MKHAT) named after Chekhov, an announcement confirmed by the theatre`s artistic director, Konstantin Khabensky.
Simultaneously, Borisov is preparing for a venture into Hollywood. He is expected to join the cast of “Artificial,” the upcoming film directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino.
Borisov`s stage experience has been relatively limited. He graduated from the Shchepkin Theatre School, where he trained under figures like Rimma Solntseva. He once expressed a preference for film, noting that he enjoys the variety of locations and the “short adventures” it offers, contrasting it with the repetition often found in theatre. “Repeating the same thing, being tied to one place… I don`t really like uniformity,” he stated previously. However, the opportunity to portray Hamlet under prominent direction appears to be a compelling exception to his rule.
His recent breakthrough on the global stage came with Sean Baker`s film “Anora.” The movie received multiple accolades, including five Academy Awards. While the source article indicates Borisov was nominated for a “Best Supporting Actor” Oscar, publicly available information confirms his nomination and win for supporting actor awards from various prestigious American film critics` associations (like Los Angeles and San Francisco) and nominations for others (Gotham Awards, Golden Globe, SAG Awards, Independent Spirit Awards) following his performance in the Oscar-winning film. This significant exposure led to him signing with the influential Hollywood agency United Talent Agency (UTA), which represents major stars including Timothée Chalamet, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, and his “Anora” co-star Mikey Madison.
Filming for Guadagnino`s “Artificial” is scheduled to commence in July and continue through September, taking place in Piedmont, Italy, and San Francisco. The film reportedly centers on the founders of OpenAI and the events surrounding the temporary dismissal of CEO Sam Altman in 2023, a situation that was resolved within days.
Speculation suggests Yura Borisov may portray Ilya Sutskever, an OpenAI co-founder who was reportedly involved in the decision to remove Altman. Sutskever, born in Nizhny Novgorod in 1984, emigrated with his family and was raised and educated in Israel and Canada. Some observers have noted a physical resemblance between Borisov and Sutskever, which might factor into the casting.
The cast for “Artificial” also includes Andrew Garfield, slated to play Sam Altman, and Melissa Barrera in the role of the company`s technical director.
Luca Guadagnino, known for his distinctive style and internationally acclaimed works like “Call Me By Your Name” (which garnered five Oscar nominations), brings a strong pedigree to the project. Having started his career with films rooted in Italy, he has successfully transitioned to directing high-profile English-language features, collaborating with esteemed actors.
These upcoming roles mark a dynamic phase in Yura Borisov`s career, balancing classical theatre ambition with a rapid ascent into mainstream international cinema.
