Nina Dobrev is set to star alongside Russell Crowe in Bear Country, a new action thriller directed by Derrick Borte. Currently filming in Queensland, Australia, the film is an adaptation of Thomas Perry’s novel Strip and will follow a club owner as his situation worsens when cartel bosses pursue him, and a young entrepreneur, posing as a potential buyer, threatens to take him over. Alongside Crowe, who just came off of a busy year with everything from Kraven the Hunter to Land of Bad, the cast also includes Kartiah Vergara.

Now, according to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Dobrev has joined the growing Bear Country cast. The Vampire Diaries alum is set to star in the film as Carrie, a quirky bank teller, who is drawn to crime by her Bonnie-and-Clyde-like fantasies. She will star alongside Crowe, who will portray Manco Kapak, the aging club owner whose plans to sell and retire are foiled when a masked gunman robs his club. The production is supported by the City of Gold Coast and the Australian Government through the Location Offset.

What This Means For Bear Country’s Production And Cast

Dobrev Expands Her Portfolio

Dobrev’s involvement in Bear Country is another notable action thriller in her repertoire. After starring in The Bricklayer with Aaron Eckhart and Netflix’s The Out-Laws, her casting in this film seems to be a move to expand her range beyond her established persona from The Vampire Diaries. Moreover, this casting marks Dobrev’s first collaboration with Russell Crowe. Additionally, the movie marks her first confirmed project to be in the works this year, because, as of the time of writing, Dobrev does not have any other confirmed 2025 projects outside of Bear Country.

Also, since the film is currently shooting in Queensland, Australia, it will benefit from Location Offset, which supports Australian-made films with financial incentives. This, coupled with the involvement of producers such as Mark Fasano and Jeffrey Greenstein, places the project firmly within an international framework. With a strong production team, including contributors to projects like Marlowe and The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Bear Country is positioned to maintain high production standards.

Our Take On Dobrev Joining Bear Country

She Continues To Move Past The Vampire Diaries

Nina Dobrev’s casting in Bear Country marks an important step in her career as she shifts into an action-oriented role. After years of being known for her role in The Vampire Diaries, it’s clear she’s stepping into grittier territory, and now that she is starring alongside Crowe, it shows just how much she’s grown. It’ll be interesting to see how she handles a character driven by action, and her dynamic with Crowe could really elevate the film. This move definitely signals that Dobrev isn’t sticking to what’s comfortable, and it could lead to even more challenging and rewarding roles.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline