MOVIE NEWS – One of the year’s most divisive films has sparked fresh controversy after its lead star reportedly distanced himself from the project. Citizen Vigilante, described as Armie Hammer’s comeback film, had already triggered strong political reactions, and now the chances of a sequel appear more uncertain. According to a source close to the actor, Hammer found the finished film hateful and disgusting.

It is not unusual for actors to regret certain roles, but those reservations usually surface long after a film has been released. Creative differences are usually handled behind the scenes, sparing productions from public disputes or costly delays. In the case of Citizen Vigilante, however, the situation appears sharper, because Armie Hammer reportedly feels that the role he signed up for evolved into something he fundamentally rejected. The film arrived relatively quietly when it was released, but as a revenge thriller it follows in the tradition of Death Wish and Dirty Harry, while presenting extremely graphic violence and difficult themes. The problem is that the story also alludes to real-world social issues, including immigration and race, which quickly made it politically divisive.

The film’s reception was not helped by scenes depicting unwarranted violence, particularly against innocent migrants and civilians. For many viewers, that undermined the film’s own vigilante premise, because the story does not only show an antihero punishing criminals, but also presents brutality that treats innocent people as collateral damage. Citizen Vigilante was originally supposed to be Hammer’s comeback film following his forced exit from the industry in 2021. Now, however, a new report from Puck News claims that even the lead actor is decrying the movie.

According to the outlet, “a source in Hammer’s camp” said the actor found the film “hateful” and “disgusting.” The insider added that Hammer likely knew about the film’s political leanings, but not the extent to which they would appear in the final edit. Another report stated that Hammer received only a 50-page script before filming began. MovieWeb notes that Hammer deserves the benefit of the doubt, except for one violent scene involving a young Syrian migrant, which he most likely knew about.

Citizen Vigilante follows Michael Sanders, played by Hammer. Sanders is a former US Army officer who moves to Europe to manage his father’s real estate business, while also putting his military experience to use as a vigilante. He punishes people who, in his view, worked the system and escaped justice. Acting on behalf of crime victims, he offers the option of “intervention” and then fast-tracks the perpetrators’ reckoning through brutal acts of violence that also dismiss innocent lives as collateral damage.

Hammer’s reported new view stands in sharp contrast to his previous comments about the project. Speaking with Collider last month, he recalled receiving the offer from director Uwe Boll, who insisted that Hammer was the right person for the lead role. After the Puck News report, however, the status of Citizen Vigilante 2 appears more uncertain. If the lead actor really rejects the finished film this strongly, it raises serious questions about whether the planned sequel can move forward with the same creative direction and the same central star.

Source: MovieWeb