Lior Raz, the co-creator and star of the acclaimed Israeli TV political thriller Fauda, is joining Oscar Isaac in MGM’s Operation Finale, the story of the capture of Nazi Adolf Eichmann.
Chris Weitz is directing the drama, which is said to echo thrillers such as Argo and Munich, and has Ben Kingsley set to star as Eichmann. Matthew Orton wrote the original screenplay.
Eichmann was considered one of the architects of the Holocaust and oversaw the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Jews. After World War II, he fled to Argentina, where he lived in hiding. Israel’s spy agency Mossad eventually discovered Eichmann’s whereabouts, and in a tense operation captured him and smuggled him out of the country.
Raz will portray Isser Harel, the director of Mossad who allows Isaac’s character, Peter Malkin, to lead the Argentina mission. He later helps the team out when they are stuck in hiding.
Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Fred Berger are producing the project that is eyeing a fall shoot in Argentina. Isaac and Inspire Entertainment’s Jason Spire are also producing.
Raz is an Israeli actor who is finding international success with Fauda, his show that swept the Israeli Emmys in 2016. The drama was picked up by Netflix and a second season ordered. Raz and his Fauda partner Avi Issacharoff have since set up two other shows at the streaming giant.
Raz is making his English-language debut with the upcoming Mary Magdalene, which stars Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix. He is repped by UTA, Principato-Young Entertainment and Rinat Eithan in Israel.
