Jude Law had a slightly wobbly start to his day in Venice on Monday, proving that even A-list actors aren’t immune to the occasional mishap.
The British star, 52, lost his footing while stepping off a taxi boat with wife Phillippa Coan, nearly face-planting on the dock and almost dropping his laptop into the canal.
Despite the tumble, Jude quickly recovered, laughing it off with Phillippa, 38, and their friends before heading up the dock.
Fans were quick to check on him, and the actor happily paused to sign autographs, showing his usual charm even after a minor accident.
For the outing, he kept things casual yet stylish in a navy blazer layered over a grey T-shirt and trousers, paired with comfortable slip-on shoes.
Venice Film Festival Glamour
The minor mishap didn’t overshadow the reason for Jude’s trip: the 82nd Venice Film Festival.
He was in Italy to promote his new espionage thriller Wizard Of The Kremlin, in which he stars as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The film is an adaptation of Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 novel, telling a story that spans from the early 1990s post-Soviet era to 2014, alongside fictional adviser Vadim Baranov, played by American actor Paul Dano.
At the premiere, Jude was joined by co-star Alicia Vikander, who played the fictional Ksenia.
Alicia, 36, made a striking impression in a sweeping blue evening gown, commanding attention on the red carpet, while Jude looked suave in a classic white tuxedo and black dress trousers.
Festival director Olivier Assayas and organiser Alberto Barbera were also in attendance, welcoming the cast and guests.
Family Support on the Red Carpet
Jude’s wife Phillippa was by his side, turning heads in a silver figure-hugging gown with a keyhole cutout.
The couple tied the knot in 2019 and have since welcomed two children, in 2020 and 2023.
Jude is a father to seven children in total, sharing Rafferty, 28, Iris, 24, and Rudy, 22, with ex-wife Sadie Frost; Sophia, 15, with model Samantha Burke; and Ada, 10, with singer-songwriter Catherine Harding.
Tackling a Controversial Role
Before the premiere, Jude addressed the sensitive nature of his role, emphasizing that he approached the project with care.
“I felt safe in the hands of Olivier,” he explained, noting that the film was crafted intelligently and with nuance.
Wearing prosthetics to transform into Putin, he insisted the story was meant to provide context rather than provoke controversy.
Jude added, “We weren’t trying to define anything about anyone. My character is part of a much larger story.”
The film’s narrative tracks Putin’s rise to power alongside fictional adviser Baranov, blending historical events with dramatized elements to explore the political landscape from the early 1990s to 2014.
A Festival to Remember
Despite the slip on the dock, the day was a mix of glamour, family support, and thoughtful storytelling.
Jude Law demonstrated that a little stumble can’t stop him from making an impression on the red carpet or promoting a film that tackles one of the most talked-about figures in modern history.
