Roadside Attractions and Vertical Acquire Historical Thriller ‘Firebrand,’ Starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander
variety.comCaroline Brew editor Roadside Attractions and Vertical have acquired the U.S. rights to the historical thriller “Firebrand,” which will open in theaters on June 21.
Based on the historical novel “Queen’s Gambit” by Elizabeth Fremantle, the film stars Alicia Vikander and Jude Law and is directed by Karim Aïnouz. “Firebrand” follows “legendary Queen of England, Katherine Parr, and her quest to survive the perilous last months in the life of her ailing and abusive husband, Henry VIII,” per the release.
The cast also includes Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Simon Russell Bealeand Erin Doherty. Gabrielle Tana and Carolyn Marks Blackwood produce the film, which played competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. “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.
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,” Aïnouz said in a statement.
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