Hollywood stars Nicolas Cage and Bill Skarsgård have been drawing crowds and curiosity after being spotted filming in several Belgian cities over the past week. Production crews were seen working in Ghent, Brussels and Charleroi as part of the upcoming film Lords of War.
The actors are in Belgium to shoot the long-awaited sequel to Andrew Niccol’s 2005 political thriller Lord of War. The new film is a British-Belgian co-production and also stars Laura Harrier and Dutch actress Sylvia Hoeks.
The original Lord of War followed the rise of Ukrainian arms dealer Yuri Orlov, portrayed by Cage, chronicling his journey from the Cold War era through the early years of the War on Terror. The film became a cult classic for its unflinching portrayal of the global arms trade.
In the sequel, Orlov’s past returns to haunt him when he discovers he has a son, played by Bill Skarsgård. The revelation sparks dangerous family rivalries, pulling the aging arms dealer back into a world of violence, power struggles and international intrigue.
According to public broadcaster VRT, Cage was seen filming last week at the iconic Graslei in Ghent. The historic quay area was temporarily transformed into a bustling movie set, attracting large crowds of curious locals and tourists.
The Post Hotel, overlooking the river, played a central role in the scenes. Hotel owner Damien Brunin told VRT that the building’s entrance hall and terrace had been converted into what he described as a “kind of weapons depot” for the film.
Before arriving in Ghent, the production crew filmed several sequences in Brussels. Scenes were shot in the Bois de la Cambre, a popular green space in the Belgian capital, where residents were notified ahead of time about filming activities and temporary disruptions.
Filming also took place in Marchienne-au-Pont, near Charleroi, where the Quai de Sambre was transformed into a dramatic conflict zone. Residents were warned in advance that streets would be taken over for the duration of the shoot.
RTBF reported that Marchienne-au-Pont was used to represent Croatia during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s. Burnt-out cars, military vehicles and staged destruction were visible on set, creating a striking contrast with the everyday urban landscape.
Production manager Naïm Vandenbreed explained that the Charleroi location was selected for its distinctive layout. He noted that the production was searching for a town between two bridges and that this particular spot matched the director’s vision perfectly.
Vandenbreed also praised the cooperation of local authorities and residents. He said Charleroi had welcomed the crew warmly, adding that it was his third film shot in the city and that each experience had been smooth and well supported.
Lords of War is scheduled for release in May 2027. While Belgium features prominently, much of the remaining filming is expected to take place in Morocco, completing the film’s international production journey.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
