V for Vendetta is a 2006 dystopian thriller film directed by first-time filmmaker James McTeigue with a screenplay written by the Wachowski sisters. The film was produced by the latter and Joel Silver. It is based on the comic book series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. It starred Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, and John Hurt. The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 12, 2006. It was released March 17, 2006 in the United States, United Kingdom, and six other countries; it topped that week's US box office. Its worldwide gross was $132,511,035.