Mads Mikkelsen to Star in ‘Sirius,’ Directorial Debut From Christopher Nolan’s Editor Lee Smith

Mads Mikkelsen is set to star in the action thriller Sirius, the directorial debut of Oscar-winning editor Lee Smith, who is best known for his collaborations with director Christopher Nolan, including Interstellar and Dunkirk.

The Arctic-set project is inspired by the real-life Sirius Patrol, the Danish special forces unit charged with defending Greenland’s 8,700-mile frozen coastline. Tony Mosher penned the screenplay.

Smith is also known for his collaborations with Sam Mendes (Empire of Light) and Peter Weir (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).

Neon label Decal will release the film in the U.S., marking the outfit’s first wide domestic release. International rights will be sold at the Cannes film market, with Neon handling the foreign sales.

Pascal Degove and Matt Williams will produce for Future Artists Entertainment and Deborah Acoca will executive produce.

Neon has a great history at the Cannes Film Festival and market, last year premiering Sean Baker’s Anora, which would go on to win the 2025 best picture Oscar. This year, the company is premiering Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, Julia Ducournau’s Alpha, and Raoul Peck’s Orwell: 2+2=5, as well as Michael Angelo Covino’s comedy Splitsville starring Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona.

Decal’s recent releases include true-crime drama McVeigh, starring Alfie Allen, the Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff rom-com Which Brings Me to You; and the Wattpad phenomenon Perfect Addiction.

Mikkelsen is represented by UTA, Art Management, and Viewpoint. Smith is represented by Gersh. Mosher is represented by Gersh, Circle of Confusion and Behr Abramson