Russian filmmakers are preparing new television series and feature film adaptations based on the works of Soviet science fiction writers the Strugatsky brothers. The current wave of screen adaptations comes amid a broader turn by Russian filmmakers toward the fantasy genre, supported by neural networks and modern visual effects technologies. Two of the upcoming projects have received support from the Institute for Internet Development.
The television series Hard to Be a God is expected to launch this autumn. The story follows Anton, an employee of the Institute of History who travels to medieval Arkanar in the distant future to save scientists who can advance evolution. Anton disguises himself as Don Rumata of Estor, a wealthy aristocrat who enjoys fights, alcohol, and women. His primary directive is to avoid direct interference in history while helping enlightened figures survive, though he also hides a personal mission to search for his father, who disappeared in Arkanar.
Serbian actor Aleksandar Radojicic, known for the film The Balkan Line, stars as Rumata in the series directed by Dmitry Tyurin. The main cast includes Sergey Bezrukov, Viktoriya Isakova, Fyodor Bondarchuk, and Nikita Kologrivyy. Actor Leonid Yarmolnik, who portrayed Don Rumata 13 years ago in the Aleksei German feature film adaptation of Hard to Be a God, also appears in the new series. Yarmolnik stated that his role symbolically represents the former Rumata passing the torch to the new character. During production, Yarmolnik suggested using the original costume from German's film.
Noon series based on Beetle in the Anthill
Filming is currently underway on the television series Noon, which is expected to premiere in 2026. The project is the first screen adaptation of the 1979 Strugatsky novel Beetle in the Anthill from the Noon Universe cycle.
Set in the year 2278, the plot centers on Rudolf Sikorski, played by Leonid Yarmolnik, the head of the Commission on Contacts with Extraterrestrial Civilizations. Sikorski orders agent Maksim Kammerer, played by Yury Kolokolnikov, to locate Lev Abalkin, played by Maksim Matveyev. Abalkin is a progressor who abandoned his mission on the planet Nadezhda to return to Earth. Kammerer must locate Abalkin, uncover his connection to an alien supercivilization called the Wanderers, and prevent a global catastrophe.
Director Klim Kozinsky, whose cast also includes Yulia Snigir and Sofya Sinitsyna, stated that the production team has ambitions beyond a single project and plans to expand the franchise by incorporating other Strugatsky novels. Kozinsky described Kammerer as a strong character with Hollywood appeal.
Dead Mountaineer's Hotel feature film
Production has completed on the mystical detective feature film Dead Mountaineer's Hotel, which is scheduled for theatrical release on January 28, 2027. Directed by Aleksandr Domogarov Jr. from a script by Olga Gorodetskaya, the film stars Yevgeny Tsyganov as Police Inspector Peter Glebsky. The cast also features Sergey Makovetsky as Alec Snevar, Aleksandr Baluev as Mr. Moses, Svetlana Khodchenkova as Mrs. Moses, Dmitry Lysenkov as Simon Simone, Alena Mikhailova as Brun, and Aleksei Rozin as Hinkus.
The story follows Inspector Glebsky as he responds to an anonymous letter warning of a planned murder at a remote mountain lodge. An evening avalanche blocks the gorge exit, trapping the guests inside before Glebsky discovers a corpse during the night.
Director Aleksandr Domogarov Jr. stated that the film will not be a literal adaptation of the original novella, introducing new plotlines and altered character developments while retaining the authors' core message. Domogarov Jr. expressed a strong desire to deliver a compelling film, acknowledging the heavy responsibility to existing book fans and new audiences alike.
