As I read through this release a slowly found myself standing up and slow clapping. There are more than a few reasons why Netflix’s new action film, Polar, is one to be excited about. Most notably is that the film will star Rogue One, Doctor Strange and “Hannibal’s” Mads Mikkelsen as the world’s top assassin, Duncan Vizla, aka The Black Kaiser, who is settling into retirement when his former employer marks him as a liability to the firm. Against his will, he finds himself back in the game going head to head with an army of younger, faster, ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to have him silenced. A Mads Mikkelsen-starring John Wick? Yes, please.

And get this, Polar is based on the Dark Horse action noir graphic novel “Polar: Came From the Cold” by Victor Santos and will be produced by Constantin Film’s Robert Kulzer and Jeremy Bolt, the duo behind the Resident Evil franchise!

Also starring Vanessa Hudgens (Spring Breakers, Beastly), Katheryn Winnick (“Vikings”), Matt Lucas (Alice In Wonderland, Doctor Who, Little Britain), the film will be directed by renowned Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund, whose last film Lords Of Chaos recently premiered at Sundance Film Festival.

Åkerlund has made his mark with his distinctive storytelling and visually driven signature style that often pushes the boundaries of the status quo. He is an internationally awarded director of feature films, documentaries, concert films, music videos, commercials, and stage shows, working with high profile artists such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Madonna, U2, Rammstein, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, and Beyonce to name a few. Åkerlund made his feature debut with the cult classic SPUN, starring Jason Schwartzman, Mickey Rourke and the late Brittany Murphy. He received Emmy and Grammy nominations for his work on Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade. He’s won Grammys for his music films for Paul McCartney’s Live Kisses, Madonna: The Confessions Tour Live From London, and Madonna: Ray of Light.

Jayson Rothwell (Silent Night) penned the screenplay.

The Netflix Film is currently shooting in Toronto and is slated for release on Netflix in 2019, excluding Canada, Germany, and China where Constantin Film will be handling distribution.