With heavy hearts, we woke up today to the devastating news of the passing of Udo Kier — one of the most iconic figures in the world of Iron Sky and a beloved character in the world of cinema, and a dear friend to so many of us who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Udo became the unforgettable Wolfgang Kortzfleisch, our beloved Mondführer, in 2010, when the Iron Sky producers and director first approached him with the role. After reading the script, he immediately embraced the idea of playing a Nazi officer on the Moon — something even his already extensive and eclectic career had not yet offered him.

Following the success of Iron Sky (2012), Udo returned as Wolfgang in the sequel The Coming Race (2019). This time, he didn’t just reprise one character — he also took on the film’s main antagonist, the Vril Lizard incarnation of Adolf Hitler, astride his loyal dinosaur Blondi. Only Udo could pull off a performance of such madness, precision, and charm all at once.

Everyone loved working with Udo Kier, and Udo Kier loved the work. Over the course of his career, he appeared in over 200 films. He famously summed them up with a smile: 100 bad, 50 okay, and maybe 10 truly good. We always felt — and hope he did too — that Iron Sky was among those he considered truly good.

He was also a natural-born entertainer. His presence elevated every moment: premieres, cast dinners, long shooting days. Even when he had no scenes scheduled, he often came to set simply to watch others work. He made people feel seen, appreciated, and valued — and he never forgot to thank the entire crew. Anyone who shared a moment with Udo will carry that memory for the rest of their lives.

The film world has changed over the years, and personalities like Udo are becoming rarer. The whole Iron Sky creative team cherishes the years, the laughter, and the artistry we were fortunate enough to share with him. While Deep Red will not see him on screen — although we had already discussed his appearance — his spirit will remain a unifying thread running through the films, just as it did through the Iron Sky saga.

Our photographer, Tomi Tuuliranta, spent months documenting the production of Iron Sky: The Coming Race in Belgium. Below are some of his photographs of Udo, capturing the warmth, humour, and unmistakable presence that made him so unique.

Rest in peace, dear friend. Thank you for sharing your extraordinary light with us.

Timo Vuorensola, Tero Kaukomaa and the entire Iron Sky — and Deep Red — team

ALL PHOTOS BY TOMI TUULIRANTA