Jude Law is taking on a king-size role in Firebrand, a 2024 new movie that takes a look at one of England's most famous monarchs, Henry VIII, and his final wife, Katherine Parr, played in the movie by Alicia Vikander.
The movie was actually first screened all the way back in spring 2023 at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was in the running for the fest's top prize, the Palme d'Or. Now that it has locked up US distribution, general moviegoers are going to get the chance to see the movie.
With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about Firebrand, from its release date to the rest of its cast and more.
Firebrand release date
Firebrand has been given a June 21 release date in the US, in the heart of the summer blockbuster season.
It actually shares that date with The Bikeriders, meaning June 21 could be quite the atypical weekend for summer with a couple of more drama-heavy movies.
Firebrand cast
We've already mentioned the two main stars: Jude Law playing Henry VIII and Alicia Vikander as his final wife, Katherine Parr.
Law is a two-time Oscar-nominated actor (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain), whose most recent movies have included Peter Pan & Wendy, where he played Captain Hook, and the Fantastic Beast franchise, where he played the young Dumbledore. He's also set to join the Star Wars universe as part of Skeleton Crew, an upcoming TV series.
Vikander is herself an Oscar winner for The Danish Girl, with some of her other well known roles including Ex Machina and as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. Recently she has starred in the limited TV series Irma Vep, the Netflix original movie Beckett and the A24 movie The Green Knight.
Others in the Firebrand cast include Eddie Marsan (Fair Play), Sam Riley (The Vault), Simon Russell Beale (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Erin Doherty (The Crown).
Firebrand plot
The movie is based on the novel Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle (not to be confused with The Queen's Gambit), adapted for the big screen by Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth. Here is the official synopsis:
"In blood-soaked Tudor England, Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII, is named Regent while tyrant Henry is fighting overseas. Katherine has done everything she can to push for a new future based on her radical Protestant beliefs. When an increasingly ailing and paranoid King returns, he turns his fury on the radicals, charging Katherine's childhood friend with treason and burns her at the stake. Horrified and grieving, but forced to deny it, Katherine finds herself fighting for her own survival. Conspiracy reverberates through the palace. 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?"
Firebrand trailer
There is no trailer for Firebrand at this time. When one becomes available we'll upload it right here.
Firebrand director
Karim Aïnouz is the director of Firebrand. This is his English-language debut as a director, as most of his other movies — Mariner of the Mountains, Invisible Life and more — were in Portuguese.
