Gerard Depardieu to Play Russian Dictator Joseph Stalin in French Film

Controversial French actor, Gerard Depardieu, who a couple of years back famously gave up his citizenship because of a tax row and settled in Russia, is set to play infamous Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. The French-based production is based on French author, Jean-Daniel Baltassat's 2013 novel Le divan de Staline (Stalin's Sofa). The production is set to be filmed in Russia, with the help of state-run Russian production company, Mosfilm.

According to the Hollywood Reporter online, "Moscow-based film studio Mosfilm said it would provide costumes and props for the movie, produced by French/Portuguese company Leopardo Filmes. The Russian company won't co-produce the movie, with its role limited to providing production services. The movie is to be set in the 1950s Soviet Union and will center on a young artist who is commissioned to create Stalin's monument and must go through KGB scrutiny."

Depardieu, since quitting France for Russia, has been appearing in a number of Russian-oriented projects. This one will have a French creative team behind it, as it will be directed by a former co-star in one of Francois Truffaut's final films, Fanny Ardant.

Depardieu has grown quite comfortable in Russia. A presidential visa by Vladimir Putin gave Depardieu a new home, as well as a free place to live and work in Russia. For his part, the French icon has embraced everything Russian. From the Guardian online, "Since becoming a Russian citizen in 2013 to avoid paying wealth-based taxes, Depardieu has also announced another project dealing with the former Soviet Union. He wants to make an "historically accurate " film about second world war French fighter aces who flew alongside Soviet Air Forces pilots. Depardieu denounced the US, while reaffirming his love for Russia at a press conference last October. 'They fought each other, destroyed the Indians, after that they perpetrated slavery, then there was the civil war. After that, they were the first to use the atomic bomb ... I prefer being Russian."'