Germany has barred the release of Uwe Boll’s Citizen Vigilante, starring Armie Hammer, citing both violence and claims of an anti-migrant message. Boll defended his decision to cast Hammer, arguing the actor was never charged with anything and “wanted to work”
For Armie Hammer, the road back to big-screen visibility is getting blocked by the country he calls home. Uwe Boll’s new action film, Citizen Vigilante, has been banned in Germany, preventing local audiences from seeing Hammer’s performance.
The ban came with two stated reasons: the film’s high level of violence, and a separate claim that it contains a purported anti-migrant message, with the narrative tied to crimes involving immigrants-perpetrated crimes.
Boll has continued promoting the film while addressing the controversy around Hammer’s casting. The project brings Hammer together again with the director—this time for an action story in which Hammer plays a man who decides to take the law into his own hands. Boll says his casting decision wasn’t complicated.
“I cast Armie Hammer in the lead because he’s a great actor, and also because he was cancelled and wanted to work,” Boll said in remarks carried by The Telegraph UK.
Hammer’s public downfall began in 2021, when his life took “a major turn” after leaked DMs emerged that included sexual content and cannibalistic fantasies. Not long after, he faced accusations of sexual assault and emotional abuse, though he was never formally charged with any offenses.
Since then, his career has largely stalled. Boll’s comments arrive after Hammer’s professional setbacks included a severing of ties from talent agency WME. and being dropped from Jennifer Lopez’s Shotgun Wedding. along with the film Billion Dollar Spy and the Paramount+ limited series The Offer. Even with those setbacks. Hammer had earlier found work in high-profile films. including Call Me by Your Name. Nocturnal Animals and The Birth of a Nation.
Boll leaned heavily on the fact that Hammer has not been charged in connection with the allegations. “He wasn’t charged with anything, there was no lawsuit. He was just a guy who was famous and fucking around,” Boll said. He also portrayed Hammer as a natural fit for the lead role. saying: “He’s a handsome. charismatic guy. who could be James Bond. In fact, he’d be perfect for the part.”.
The director has added that his interest in working with controversial figures extends beyond Hammer. He pointed to Kevin Spacey, saying, “Take Kevin Spacey, for instance. One of the best actors working today. I’d love to cast him in a strong male lead in one of my pictures. but by doing so. I can guarantee that the film would not get an American distributor. To me, that’s unfair. He won all the lawsuits and legal cases. and now he’s stuck in these very cheap exotic movies he’s making now. I think he should come back and get another shot.”.
Hammer, for his part, has spoken about the cannibalism controversy in the years since it emerged. He has said he feels “grateful” now. explaining that before everything happened he was in a place in his life where he “didn’t feel good” or “satisfied.” Now. he says he feels ready for “self-validation” after years of being unable to do so.
The film’s release plan contrasts sharply with the Germany ban. Citizen Vigilante is set to open in select theaters and on digital platforms on June 19, timed to the 2026 movie schedule. The project also carries a deeper origin story: originally titled The Dark Knight during pre-production. it will now see Hammer play a crusader of sorts—years after he was linked to the role of Batman. Boll appears to see that transformation as part of the appeal. describing the work he got from Hammer as a “full-circle moment. ” while also stressing the character is distinct from Gotham City’s brooding hero.
Citizen Vigilante remains scheduled to move forward elsewhere. but in Germany the door has closed—at least for now—because of violence and because of what the film is said to say about migrants. In Boll’s version of events, Hammer’s casting was about craft and opportunity. In Germany’s version. the film’s contents are the problem. and audiences there won’t get the chance to decide for themselves.
Armie Hammer Uwe Boll Citizen Vigilante Germany ban anti-migrant message violence casting controversy WME Shotgun Wedding The Offer June 19 release