With the worldwide roll-out of the Disney+ streaming service looming, it seems like Netflix is really raising its original film game over the coming months. So as well as Martin Scorsese’s much-anticipated crime saga The Irishman, we also have another feature-length epic on the way in the form of David Michôd’s The King – and now we have our first look at the historical thriller.
The King takes its cues from Shakespeare’s ‘Henriad’ – the quartet of plays that incorporates Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V – although it is a much more modernised restaging of a tumultuous period of English history.
Michôd’s film follows wayward prince and reluctant heir “Hal” (Call Me By Your Name‘s Timothée Chalamet), who has turned his back on royal life. But when his tyrannical father dies, Hal is crowned King Henry V and is forced to embrace the life he had previously tried to escape. Now the young king must navigate the perils of palace politics and the mess of a war he’s inherited with the help of his friend and mentor – alcoholic knight John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton).
You can watch the trailer below…
The King sees Aussie helmer Michôd reuniting with his Animal Kingdom star Edgerton, who’s also co-written the script for this one – and, much like its upcoming Scorsese collab, it looks like Netflix has acquired a glossy yet gritty-looking awards contender.
The film also stars Robert Pattinson – who previously worked with Michôd on The Rover – as French heir Louis, Duke of Guyenne and Ben Mendelsohn, another Animal Kingdom alumnus, as King Henry IV. Elsewhere, Mission: Impossible – Fallout‘s Sean Harris plays soldier Michael Williams and Yoga Hosers‘ Lily-Rose Depp plays Henry’s wife, Catherine of Valois.
The King will make its debut at this year’s Venice Film Festival followed by a limited theatrical run (thus qualifying for awards-season recognition). It’s due to drop on Netflix UK at some point this autumn.
