Armie Hammer turns on his own thriller, leaving Citizen Vigilante 2 in limbo

Here we go again: another film stirs up more controversy, and this time it comes courtesy of its own lead actor. The film in question is Citizen Vigilante – a revenge flick so heavy-handed and gory, you almost need a lie-down after watching it. Think Death Wish on steroids, except with all sorts of political baggage attached. The big talking point this week? Armie Hammer, the film’s headline-grabbing star, has reportedly turned against the very project that was meant to kickstart his comeback. Not your standard Hollywood disowning, either – he’s apparently as appalled by the finished product as the film’s harshest critics.

Hammer’s Comeback Goes Off the Rails

Let’s back up a bit. Citizen Vigilante was supposed to be Armie Hammer’s grand return to the screen after getting more or less blacklisted in 2021. The plan? A gritty, violent tale about a former US Army officer – Michael Sanders (played by Hammer) – who moves to Europe, takes over his dad’s dodgy real estate empire, and uses his military skills to dole out vigilante justice. This wasn’t your standard ‘clean up the streets’ storyline though; Hammer’s character starts going after anyone he deems dodgy, steamrolling right over innocents in the process. Cue a lot of scenes that made even hardened thriller fans wince.

Why Was it So Controversial?

The film raised eyebrows straight out of the gate. Not only did it graphically depict violence usually reserved for late-night cable, but it also dabbled in hot-button topics like immigration and race – and honestly, it handled them with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Several sequences showed violence towards migrants and bystanders that seemed utterly out of line with the so-called 'vigilante justice' plot, and failed to justify its own excesses.

Hammer Regrets – From Passion Project to Repudiation

Now, here’s where things get even odder. According to a fresh story from Puck News, someone in Hammer’s inner circle has said the actor found the film 'hateful' and 'disgusting.' Apparently, he knew the film would be a bit provocative, but didn’t see the full extent coming until it was too late – thanks in part to having only received a 50-page script before filming kicked off (which, frankly, sounds like creative malpractice more than anything).

Even if you’re inclined to give Hammer a pass for some of the content, there’s at least one scene – involving a violent attack on a young Syrian migrant – that he almost certainly could not have missed. There’s a difference between walking in blind and refusing to open your eyes, after all.

Backtracking from Earlier Praise

This most recent condemnation is a hell of a pivot from what Hammer was saying just last month. During a Collider interview, he looked back on getting the job from director Uwe Boll – whose tastes, let’s be honest, tend to run a bit extreme at the best of times. At the time, Hammer sounded gobsmacked with gratitude for being offered the part:

'I just started crying because I was so happy that someone was giving me the chance to do the thing in my life that I’m the most passionate about outside of my kids. And I read the script. I didn’t even have to. I had already typed, "Yes, I’ll do it." But then I read the script and I was like, "Whoa, this is intense."'

That’s not exactly the language of a man horrified by the film’s content, but people do change their tune when press and public start circling.

What Now? The Sequel Dilemma

Director Uwe Boll, never one to back quietly into the night, has already teased a follow-up: a new film set in America, with a concept poster thrown up on X and a planned release for 2027. No word yet from Hammer on whether he’ll go anywhere near a sequel, and after the recent uproar, it’s looking increasingly likely Boll will be auditioning a new face for Michael Sanders. That’s if the sequel gets off the ground at all.

Who’s Who in the Cast

• Armie Hammer as Michael Sanders – ex-US Army officer/European property mogul/vigilante