Fan CastingThe Ghost of Azura

The Ghost of Azura is a 2025 epic medieval fantasy action adventure film written and directed by Mel Gibson and produced by Zack Snyder and David Yates from a story by Snyder and Edward Zwick. The first non-biographical work by Gibson since The Man Without a Face, it is the first installment in the Kingdom of Azura film series. The film stars Cara Delevingne as the title character, alongside Ethan Hawke, James Purefoy, Isabella Sermon, Jude Law, Olivia Cooke, Graham McTavish, Joe Manganiello, Idris Elba, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, and Nicole Kidman. In the film, legendary female captain of Azura's knights, Artemis Menethil, is determined to protect the kingdom of Azura when it is threatened by a power-hungry and sociopathic rival to King Benjamin Magnus, the Scottish warlord Roderick Tiberius. The Ghost of Azura was released in theaters by Lionsgate on March 26th, 2025; despite low expectations due to Gibson's controversies until 2016, it was a surprise financial success, grossing $959 million worldwide against a budget of $145 million. It was well-received by critics and audiences, garnering a certified "fresh" rating of 95% of rotten tomatoes, with praise for its action, visuals, direction, story, performances (particularly Delevingne, Hawke, and Purefoy), screenplay, Hans Zimmer's musical score, cinematography, and emotional weight. The film reevaluated Gibson's reputation further after his acclaimed 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge. A sequel is in development.