Historical Thriller ‘Firebrand’ Starring Alicia Vikander & Jude Law Acquired By Roadside Attractions, Vertical
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Roadside Attractions and Vertical have acquired U.S. rights to Firebrand, a historical thriller starring Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina) and Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley) that world premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film directed by Karim Aïnouz (Invisible Life) is slated for an exclusive theatrical release on June 21, 2024, when it will go up against Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders and an as-yet-undisclosed title from Universal.
Based on the bestselling historical novel Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle, the film follows legendary Queen of England, Katherine Parr (Vikander), and her quest to survive the perilous last months in the life of her ailing and abusive husband, Henry VIII (Law). Eddie Marsan (21 Grams), Sam Riley (Control), Simon Russell Beale (The Death of Stalin) and Erin Doherty (The Crown) co-star.
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It’s in blood-soaked Tudor England that the twice married, accomplished and educated Parr reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of tyrannical King Henry VIII. Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. Appointed as Regent when Henry departs to fight overseas, Katherine embraces the opportunity, doing everything she can to push for a new future based on her radical Protestant beliefs.
Henry’s courtiers perceive her as a threat to their power and scheme to cast doubts upon her fidelity and turn the increasingly ailing and paranoid King against her. Upon his return to England, the courtiers convince Henry to turn his fury on the nation’s radicals, including Katherine’s childhood friend Anne Askew (Doherty), who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake.
Horrified and privately grieving, but forced to deny it, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Everyone holds their breath — for the queen to slip up, for Henry to take her head like wives before. With the hope for a future free of tyranny at risk, will Katherine submit to the inevitable for the sake of King and country?
Script for Firebrand was written by Killing Eve‘s Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth, with additional writing by Rosanne Flynn. The film is produced by Gabrielle Tana (Thirteen Lives, The Dig) and Carolyn Marks Blackwood (Cottontail, The Dig). Maria Logan, Anne Sheehan, Rosanne Flynn and Nicola Hart served as executive producers.
“I could not be more excited to be bringing Firebrand to the screen and telling the story of Katherine Parr — a ferociously brilliant, enlightened, and emancipated woman who I am deeply inspired by— a woman who has been largely disregarded, or certainly under-represented, in English history,” said Aïnouz. “Much is known about Henry VIII’s tyrannical reign; indeed, much is known about the King himself and about those who perished at his hands, but my focus here is on a woman who not only managed to survive him, but also to thrive and succeed on her own terms.”
Remarked Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey, “We were blown away when we saw the film in Cannes and are now thrilled to be bringing it to audiences next year. Not only is it an extraordinary story with great performances, Karim Aïnouz is one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.”
Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal on behalf of Vertical, along with Roadside Co-Presidents Howard Cohen & Eric d’Arbeloff and VP of Acquisitions Angel An for their company, and CAA on behalf of the filmmakers. FilmNation Entertainment is handling international rights.
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