22 Years Later, Nicolas Cage Returns in First 'Lord of War' Sequel Trailer

Nicolas Cage is heading toward a busy end to 2026. After taking on his first small-screen starring role and returning to the world of web-slinging as Ben Reilly in Prime Video's Emmy-winning Spider-Noir, he has two more movies slated to hit the big screen this month. First on the docket is David O. Russell's Madden, putting him in the shoes of the titular legendary football coach in select theaters on November 11 before coming to Amazon's streaming platform one week later. Shortly after, on November 20, he'll join Justin Long and Shelley Hennig for the bonkers action thriller Best Pancakes in the County, releasing simultaneously on digital and on the silver screen. The wait for his much-anticipated return as arms trafficker Yuri Orlov is also nearing its end.

On January 22, 2027, Vertical will release Lords of War, the long-gestating sequel to Cage's 2005 cult classic crime thriller Lord of War written and directed by Andrew Niccol. The film was first announced back in 2023, with production slated to begin later that year and into 2024, but plans changed, and the project ultimately came together in late 2025. Niccol was also brought back to both pen and direct Yuri's return to theaters, coming off the star-studded live-action animation hybrid I, Object. He'll be introducing a new member of the family this time in the form of the charismatic crook's illegitimate and similarly ruthless offspring, Anton, played by Bill Skarsgård. Ahead of their explosive reunion, the first teaser has been revealed, providing an early look at the father and son's intertwined battle for power.

Lords of War picks up with the world's most notorious arms dealer — based partly on the notorious real-life criminal Viktor Bout — years after his fateful deal with the Sierra Leonean militia in Africa. His legacy is suddenly jeopardized by a mercenary mastermind whom he soon discovers is his son, Anton, who is building a massive private army. With both competing for power, influence, and even the same woman, they're drawn into a bloody battle to the death, where ambition and betrayal fuel their relationship as bitter rivals rather than family. All of it is set against the backdrop of the U.S.'s wars in the Middle East, highlighting the real impact of arms dealers in fueling death and destruction for their own ill-gotten gains.

'Lords of War' Reunites Much of the Original Creative Team

Cage is the only returning face from the original Lord of War, which also featured Ethan Hawke, Bridget Moynahan, and Jared Leto among its stars. Despite the big names, it ultimately fell short of expectations at the box office with just $72.6 million before finding a second life as an audience favorite on DVD. The sequel has a strong supporting group as well, though. Laura Harrier, Sylvia Hoeks, and Greg Tarzan Davis join the lead father-son duo. Behind the scenes, Philippe Rousselet reunited with Cage and Niccol to once again serve as a producer alongside one of the first film's executive producers, Fabrice Gianfermi.

Lords of War hits theaters on January 22, 2027. Check out the first teaser in the player above.