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Published Jan 27, 2026, 11:00 AM EST
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Avatar: Fire & Ash star Stephen Lang is often known for playing dark and villainous characters. But his new movie, The Optimist, shows a new side to the Sisu: Road to Revenge actor. Today, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, Collider is honored to bring you an exclusive first look at the trailer for the new film starring Lang and Eighth Grade actor Elsie Fisher. The Optimist is based on the shockingly true story of Holocaust survivor, Herbet Heller, who kept his escape from Auschwitz a secret for sixty years.
The Optimist is described as follows: "The film follows Herbert (Lang), now a beloved toy store owner in Northern California, who has long concealed his wartime memories from even his own family. As he befriends a troubled teenager (Fisher), their unexpected bond inspires him to finally break his silence, proving that the human spirit has a profound capacity for healing and renewal." The trailer shows Lang and Fisher working on a film about his life, with flashbacks to Heller's time during World War II at concentration camps, including when he was separated from his father.
Producer Jeanine Thomas promised Heller that she would share his story with the world. As part of that mission, The Optimist is donating part of their profit to Kavod, "a Memphis-based organization founded in 2015 to help Holocaust survivors in the U.S. live the remainder of their lives with the comfort and dignity they deserve. By partnering with Kavod, the film seeks to raise vital awareness and funds for survivors currently struggling to afford basic necessities." The Optimist will be released on March 11 on over 700+ screens.
A New Kind of Role for Stephen Lang
Lang has become known for his villain roles. In the new film Sisu: Road to Revenge, he played Igor Dragonov, a man who was determined to stop Aatami (Jorma Tommila) no matter the cost. Then, he returned to the world of Pandora as Miles Quaritch. Quartich has been the villain of the Avatar franchise since the 2009 film, despite his growth, especially where Spider (Jack Champion) is concerned. Both these iconic villains are decidedly different from what Lang is giving audiences with The Optimist. It is a much quieter performance from the trailer, and getting to see him stretch his acting muscles is going to be exciting for fans.
You can see Lang and Fisher in the new movie The Optimist when it hits theaters on March 11.
English (US) ·