Gerard Butler Starring in “Hand of Dante”, an ambitious crime drama that will air on OTT on June 24, 2026. Julian SchnabelThe film brings together a large cast to tell a story that spans two timelines. Gerard Butler plays a dual role in the film’s parallel narrative.
Gerard Butler plays dual role in ‘Hand of Dante’
In Hand of Dante, Gerard Butler plays two characters. Butler plays Louie, a hitman and repairman in a present-day storyline set in New York. Butler plays Pope Bonifacio VIII in a historical timeline set in 14th-century Italy.According to Coming Up, Butler plays Louie and delivers some of the best dialogue in the movie while riding with Nick to help him with his work on the manuscript. Butler steals the show with his over-the-top style, and the actor has been praised for his iconoclasm, delivering a wilder on-screen presence than audiences have ever seen before.
Gerard Butler as Louis: The Killer in “In the Hands of Dante”
The film tells the story of scholar Nick Toschis, who is asked to identify a manuscript that may be the original version of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Instead of checking, Nick steals the manuscript and sets off on a journey through the underworld. Louis, played by Gerard Butler, becomes his companion on this journey and helps him deal with the dangerous situations that follow.
Gerard Butler stars as Louie, a killer and repairman who guides Nick Tosches through the dangerous criminal underworld surrounding a mysterious manuscript. Image source (Gerard Butler Instagram))
Gerard Butler plays Pope Bonifacio VIII in the historical timeline
In the 14th-century drama, Gerard Butler plays Pope Bonifacio VIII, a historical pope known for his corruption and moral failings. The character operates in the Italian timeline, where the poet Dante lived and created his masterpiece. According to the film’s storyline, Pope Bonifacio VIII is a symbol of institutional corruption and abuse of religious power. His appearance in the historical timeline mirrors his character Louis in the modern storyline, showing that greed, corruption, and moral compromise are universal human traits that are passed down from generation to generation. The character of the Pope brings an extra dimension to the film’s examination of the historical use of power and authority for personal gain.
In the film’s 14th-century storyline, Gerard Butler plays Pope Bonifacio VIII, one of the key figures in the historical narrative. Image source (Gerard Butler Instagram)
‘In the Hands of Dante’ cast: Gerard Butler joins the cast Oscar Isaac and the stars
The film reportedly stars Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Luis Canselmi, Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nile, Benjamin Clementine, Paolo Bonacelli, Martin Scorsese and Al Pacino. Some actors play two characters: one from the modern timeline and one from the historical timeline.
Julian Schnabel’s visual treatment of “In the Hands of Dante”
Director Julian Schnabel visually distinguishes the two timelines. The present-day New York scenes are shot in black and white, while the historical Italian scenes are shot in color. This visual distinction highlights the different settings and time periods of the narratives.
Directed by Julian Schnabel, the film tells parallel stories of modern New York and 14th-century Italy.
‘In the Hands of Dante’ release date and production details
The film will have its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2025. The film will be released theatrically in the United States on June 12, 2026, followed by an OTT release on June 24, 2026. The project is adapted from Nick Tosh’s 2002 novel of the same name, and director Julian Schnabel co-wrote the script with Louise Kugelberg.Stream “In the Hands of Dante” on Netflix.
