Mark Ruffalo to Lead Vatican Thriller ‘Santo Subito!’ Directed by Bertrand Bonello, Playtime Launching Hot Project at AFM (Exclusive)

Mark Ruffalo, who landed an Oscar nomination in 2023 for his role in “Poor Things,” will head back to Europe for his next daring project. He’s poised to play a morally complex investigator in “Santo Subito!,” a Vatican-set thriller based on a true story, which will be directed by French helmer Bertrand Bonello.

Penned by Thomas Bidegain, the Oscar-nominated co-screenwriter of “Emilia Perez,” “Santo Subito!” will star Ruffalo as Father Joseph Murolo, an American-born priest summoned by the Vatican to serve as the “devil’s advocate” in the investigation of Pope John Paul II’s life and potential path to sainthood. Set after the pontiff’s death on April 2, 2005, the film follows Murolo as he interviews confidantes and witnesses, navigating a “moral labyrinth” that ultimately puts his own faith to the test.

“Santo Subito!” will begin filming on March 9 on location in Italy and Poland. Playtime, a Vuelta Group company,…