FIREBRAND Trailer (2024) Alicia Vikander, Jude Law

FIREBRAND Trailer (2024) Alicia Vikander, Jude Law

FIREBRAND Trailer (2024) Alicia Vikander, Jude Law
© 2024 - Roadside

Alicia Vikander is unleashing all the fire and the fury as Queen Katherine opposite Jude Law‘s King Henry VIII.

The two star in “Firebrand,” which debuted at Cannes 2023 and marked director Karim Aïnouz‘s English-language debut film. During war-torn Tudor England, Katherine Parr (Vikander) reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Law). Katherine hopes that her fate is different from her predecessors, the queens who were either vanquished, beheaded, or died of non-murder causes.

After their union, Henry appoints Katherine as Regent, the nation’s ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas. Yet that power makes Katherine a target as Henry’s courtiers begin suspecting that she’s sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs. Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to convict a series of Katherine’s confidantes with treason and burn them at the stake.

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Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Simon Russell Beale, and Erin Doherty co-star.

Law said during a Cannes 2023 press conference that he wanted to smell like “puss, blood, fecal matter, and sweat” to fully embody the lore of King Henry VIII.

“I read these several interesting accounts that at this period, you could smell Henry three rooms away because his leg was rotten so badly. He hid it with rose oil,” Law said. “So I just thought it would have a great impact if I smelled awful. I went to this brilliant perfumier. She makes wonderful scents. But she also makes awful scents. And she somehow managed to come up with this extraordinary variety of his puss, blood, fecal matter, and sweat.”

He added, “Initially I used it very subtly. I just sort of thought I would use it myself and that that would have an impact. When [director] Karim got ahold of it, it became a spray fest.”

“Firebrand” is written by sisters Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth, with additional writing by Rosanne Flynn. The film is produced by Gabrielle Tana and Carolyn Marks Blackwood.

Director Aïnouz returns to Cannes this year with erotic thriller “Motel Destino” which will screen in competition at the festival. “Motel Destino” is Aïnouz’s sixth Cannes premiere, with his 2019 feature “Invisible Life” winning the Un Certain Regard award.

“Firebrand” premieres June 14 in theaters. Check out the trailer below.
"Do you believe in Hell? I think we're both bound for it." Roadside Attractions has revealed the first official trailer for Firebrand, the latest from Brazilian filmmaker Karim Aïnouz. This first premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival last year, which is why they're debuting the trailer now just before Cannes 2024 kicks off soon. In a rotten, blood soaked island kingdom, there once was a queen by the name of Katherine Parr. The sixth wife of the vengeful King Henry VIII - and the only one to survive. This true story is about Queen Katherine Parr & Henry VIII's marriage. Adapted from the novel "Queen's Gambit" by Elizabeth Fremantle. With the hope for a future free of tyranny at risk, will Katherine submit to the inevitable for the sake of King and country? Alicia Vikander stars as Katherine Parr, Jude Law as Henry VIII, plus Eddie Marsan, Amr Waked, Sam Riley, Ruby Bentall, Bryony Hannah, and Erin Doherty. This one got pretty bad reviews out of Cannes last year, it is not worth sitting through unless you're really into this kidn of history.

Here's the official US trailer (+ new French poster) for Karim Aïnouz's Firebrand, direct from YouTube:

Firebrand Poster

Firebrand Poster

In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, educated Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Jude Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation's ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path. Henry's courtiers, suspecting she's sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King. Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation's radicals, including her childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. Horrified & privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine unleashes her own scheme to fight for survival.

Firebrand is directed by the acclaimed Brazilian artist / filmmaker Karim Aïnouz, director of the films Madame Satã, Love for Sale, Futuro Beach, O Sol na Cabeça, and Invisible Life previously, plus many other short films and documentaries. The screenplay is written by Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth; adapted from the novel "Queen's Gambit" by Elizabeth Fremantle. Produced by Carolyn Marks Blackwood, Gabrielle Tana. This first premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in the Main Competition. Roadside Attractions will debut Aïnouz's Firebrand in select US theater starting on June 14th, 2024 this summer.
Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's final wife, navigates courtly intrigue and danger in the upcoming film, Firebrand.
The historical thriller stars Jude Law as the tyrannical King Henry VIII, and he's unrecognizable as a balding, portly, angry man.
Alicia Vikander takes on the role of Catherine Parr in Firebrand, which hits theaters June 14, 2024.
Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived. Catherine Parr (Alicia Vikander) was the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, and the wife who survived him. Firebrand tells the often-overlooked story of the woman who outlived the King of England (here played by Jude Law), managing to successfully navigate courtly intrigue in 16th-century England, and the ever-present dangers involved. Alicia Vikander plays the queen and wife for Henry's final four years of life, while Law disappears between the larger-than-life layers that made Henry so recognizable at the end of his days.

Based on the 2013 novel by Elizabeth Freemantle, entitled Queen's Gambit, the film focuses on the final years of the couple's short marriage. This was the time when Parr was under constant threat from the courtiers that surrounded her, and the ever-paranoid King whom she had little choice but to marry. The title was changed to Firebrand in order to avoid confusion with the successful Netflix series, The Queen's Gambit, which debuted in 2020 and starred Anya Taylor-Joy.

Firebrand temp movie poster 2023
Firebrand
NOT YET RATED
Drama
History
Thriller
Firebrand is a historical thriller that follows Katherine Parr, King Henry VIII's sixth wife, who finds herself in grave danger when her husband returns from an evangelical campaign of carnage and conquest. With her childhood friend accused of treason and executed, Parr fights for survival against a king that continues to veer down the path of a tyrant.

Release Date
June 14, 2024
Director
Karim Ainouz
Cast
Alicia Vikander , Jude Law , Sam Riley , Eddie Marsan , Simon Russell Beale , Erin Doherty
Runtime
2h
Studio(s)
Brouhaha Entertainment , Magnolia Mae Films
Having seen her predecessors all fall from grace at the whims of Henry and those whispering in his ears, Catherine (also sometimes spelled Katherine) understands the constant danger she is in. When Henry names her regent to rule in his place while he is overseas fighting in the ever-constant wars with continental powers, the courtiers around Catherine become convinced she is a firebrand who supports the Protestant cause, which they see as a threat to their power. Upon his return, they convince Harry to turn his growing fury and paranoia on those they see as radicals, including one of Catherine's childhood friends. When her friend becomes one of scores of religious radicals burned at the stake by the King, the wife must fight for her life.

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A Threat to the Queen
In a rotten, blood-soaked island kingdom, there once was a queen by the name of Katherine Parr. She was the sixth wife of the vengeful King Henry VIII.

So begins the trailer for Firebrand, which promises a new and suspenseful look at the story people think they already know. Instead of taking the usual refined look back at royal history that so often graces screens in historical epics, Firebrand attempts to capture the true horror behind life in 16th-century England. The populous is at the whim of a rash and ruthless king, whose constantly changing moods threaten everyone around him. The film takes the tone of a psychological horror, addressing the people who inhabit this world and their constant fear in a new and dark light.

As with any other fictional retelling of a true story, Firebrand takes liberties with the story to create more suspense. Yet the film strives to capture the spirit of the period, and the dangers involved with spreading the heretical Protestant teachings that Henry made legal with his break from the Catholic Church, but still feared would cost him his power.

Firebrand premieres in theaters June 14, 2024, from Vertical.
May 8 (UPI) -- Roadside Attractions is teasing the new film Firebrand.

The studio shared a trailer and first-look photos for the movie Wednesday featuring Alicia Vikander and Jude Law.

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Firebrand is based on the novel Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle. The film adaptation is written by Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth and directed by Karim Aïnouz.

Law and Vikander star as English monarch King Henry VIII and his sixth and final wife, Katherine Parr.

"In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished and educated Katherine Parr (Vikander) reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead," an official synopsis reads.

The trailer shows Katherine clash with Henry after she comes under suspicion for being sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs.

"Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival."

Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Amr Waked, Patsy Ferran and Erin Doherty also star.

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Firebrand premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. The film opens in theaters June 14.
The Firebrand trailer showcases the conflict between Katherine Parr and Henry VIII over her radicalism.
The film features Alicia Vikander and Jude Law as lead stars in a historical drama set in Tudor England.
Reviews for Firebrand are mixed, highlighting Vikander and Law's performances but criticizing its historical accuracy.
Henry VIII's suspicions of Katherine Parr's radicalism wedge royal conflict in the Firebrand trailer. Based on Elizabeth Fremantle's 2013 novel Queen's Gambit, with a script by Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth, Firebrand is helmed by the Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz in his first effort in the English language. The film focuses on Katherine Parr (played by Alicia Vikander), the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII (played by Jude Law). The Firebrand cast also includes Eddie Marsan, Ruby Bentall, Sam Riley, Amr Waked, Erin Doherty, and Simon Russell Beale.

Today, RoadsideFlix released the first official Firebrand trailer. Watch it below:

The trailer follows Katherine Parr as she reluctantly agrees to marry Henry VIII. Soon enough, the new Queen's radicalism quickly wedges a royal conflict between her and the King.

What To Know About Firebrand
Story, Cast, & Critical Reception
Alicia Vikander as Katherine Parr in Firebrand
Set in the "rotten, blood-soaked" kingdom of Tudor England, the Firebrand trailer teases the conflict between Queen Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of the "vengeful" King Henry VIII. Katherine reluctantly consenting to marry Henry carries great personal risk considering that his five previous wives – Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, and Catherine Howard – were either divorced, beheaded, or died. When Henry appoints her as regent during his absence, Katherine is suspected of sympathizing with radical Protestant beliefs. Upon Henry's return, Katherine must navigate increasingly treacherous waters, knowing that any hint of scandal could seal her fate.

Firebrand marks the latest historical drama for its lead stars – Vikander and Law. The Swedish actress, who won an Academy Award for The Danish Girl, has also starred as Queen Caroline Matilda in A Royal Affair. The English actor – best known for his roles in Sherlock Holmes, Fantastic Beasts, and the MCU – also appeared in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword as Vortigern. Vikander and Law also both previously starred in the historical romantic drama Anna Karenina.

Jude Law with cuts on his face and a camera in Road to Perdition
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Nearing veteran status while showcasing his incredible range and talent, Jude Law remains a powerful force on screen as seen in many notable films.

Due to its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, the first Firebrand reviews were published nearly one year ago. Overall, the reviews are decidedly mixed, earning Firebrand a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Mainly, critics disapprove of how Firebrand deviates from historical accuracy, but because of its dull execution, has very little to show for it. However, as highlighted by the trailer, there has been much praise for the two lead stars, with Screen Rant's Patrice Witherspoon praising Vikander's "powerhouse performance" and Law as "sensational."

Firebrand releases in theaters on June 14.
Roadside Attractions has released a trailer for the upcoming period film Firebrand, which stars Jude Law as King Henry VIII and Alicia Vikander as his sixth wife Katherine Parr.

The movie is based on a true story and it looks like it tells quite an intense story as Katherine challenges the King.

The synopsis reads: “In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Law).

“Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation’s ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her.

“Henry’s courtiers, suspecting she’s sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King.

“Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation’s radicals, including Katherine’s childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake.

“Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival.”

Firebrand was directed by Karim Aïnouz and it arrives in theaters on June 14th.
The Firebrand trailer emphasizes the clash between patriarchy and feminism in history.
Katherine Parr stands up to Henry VIII, putting herself in danger for her rights.
Director Karim Aïnouz aims to promote understanding of women's historical struggles with his new film.
Historical movie fans have certainly waited enough for this, but now we can finally say it: the Firebrand trailer is here. First announced all the way back in 2021, the movie stars Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) and Alicia Vikander (Irma Vep) as one of the most infamous couples in history: Henry VIII and his sixth and last wife, Katherine Parr. The movie had some early screenings last year at film festivals, but now it is set to open in theaters on June 14.

The trailer for Firebrand makes it clear that the story is very much a clash between two elements of human history: The patriarchy, whose members are used to getting what they want without meeting any resistance; and feminism — or any movement that challenges the status quo. You don't need to know much about history to know that Henry VIII reserved a less than dignified fate for all of his wives and, in the case of Firebrand, Katherine was the one to have to speak up and fight for her own rights.

Of course, this doesn't come cheap. The trailer also reveals that Katherine pretty quickly put a target on her own back after her attitude made it clear that she wouldn't tolerate the same kind of abuse that Henry's previous wives did. Additionally, we can't take for granted another aspect revealed by the trailer: the stunning costume designs that we love to see in these productions seem to almost have a life of their own. If the movie ends up among the 2025 Oscar nominees in this category, no one will be able to say they're surprised.

'Firebrand' Director Spells Out The Movie's Message: "Tyrants Need to Go"
Firebrand is directed by Brazilian filmmaker Karim Aïnouz (Futuro Beach), and this marks the director's first English-language project. Back at the film's early premiere at Cannes, the director made it pretty clear that even though there are historical inaccuracies in the movie, the point of the story is to "promote an understanding of the violence women have endured over centuries." Additionally, Firebrand doesn't ignore that people in positions of power tend to abuse it, and it also takes a shot at modern and past abusive leaders. The director was pretty final with his statements on the interviews: "Patriarchy needs to stop, and tyrants need to go.”Aside from Law and Vikander, Firebrand also stars Simon Russell Beale (House of the Dragon), Patsy Ferran (Living), Erin Doherty (The Crown), Sam Riley (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) and Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan).

Firebrand is set to premiere in theaters on June 14. You can watch the trailer above.

Firebrand Film Poster
Firebrand
History
Drama
Follows Queen Catherine Parr and Henry VIII's marriage.

Release Date
June 14, 2024
Director
Karim Ainouz
Cast
Jude Law , Alicia Vikander , Eddie Marsan , Erin Doherty
Runtime
120 minutes
Writers
Henrietta Ashworth , Jessica Ashworth , Rosanne Flynn , Elizabeth Fremantle
Alicia Vikander's new movie Firebrand centres around King Henry VIII's sixth wife Katherine Parr – the one who survived beheading and divorce. It looks to be a dark yet empowering take, focusing on a female figure we may not have seen much of in the history books.

And Jude Law will star as the scoundrel of a King.

Directed by Karim Aïnouz, the film is adapted from historical fiction book The Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle, and has been reported to have taken some creative liberties, but the message is clear – that stories of women's struggles throughout history need to be told. After all, Katherine Parr campaigned for women's education and helped pave the way for her stepdaughter Elizabeth to become Queen.

Here's what we know so far about Firebrand, and how it tells the story of Katherine Parr.

Larry D. Horricks/Brouhaha Entertainment
Firebrand plot
The film's plot synopsis reads: "In Tudor England, Katherine Parr reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII. Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded or dead.

“Perceived as a threat by Henry's courtiers, they start to cast doubts about her fidelity and turn the increasingly paranoid king against her.”

It will tell a huge part of Tudor history from a woman's perspective, and what it was like to be a female Royal at that time – including the dangers.

Larry D. Horricks/Brouhaha Entertainment
Firebrand release date
It will hit cinemas on 14 June.

Firebrand cast
Alongside Alicia Vikander and Jude Law, we will see The Crown's Erin Doherty, who plays Anne Askew, a controversial preacher who campaigns for change to the King's regime. Eddie Marsan (Back To Black), Sam Riley and Ruby Bentall will also star.

Firebrand trailer
Watch below. It's dark and twisted, with a lot to say about the struggle for female empowerment during the Tudor period.

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What have the team behind Firebrand said about the film?
Firebrand's director Karim Aïnouz has spoken out about his excitement to tell a story of an underrepresented woman in history like Katherine.

“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,” he said (via Deadline).

“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.”
Roadside Attractions revealed the official trailer for Firebrand, the historical drama film starring Alicia Vikander as Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII played by Jude Law.

Also starring in the movie are Eddie Marsan, Simon Russell Beale, Sam Riley are Erin Doherty.

Release Date
Directed by Karim Aïnouz, Firebrand world premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, and opens only in theaters on June 14th, 2024

Synopsis
In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation’s ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her. Henry’s courtiers, suspecting she’s sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King. Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation’s radicals, including Katherine’s childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival.

Reviews
Deadline review gave high marks to film and the performances of Vikander along with Law, writing, “Far more accessible to those who might not be drawn to this kind of costumer, Firebrand is what its title suggests and is consistently engrossing. It also is a fine showcase again for the talents of Vikander, who has found in Katherine Parr a strong role model, and in a time of rising autocratic control something contemporary audiences might find relatable. Law is truly becoming the consummate character actor of his generation, and playing King Henry VIII just cements that status. He looks like he is having a blast, and steals every scene he is in.”

Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Firebrand
Hot Cannes title “Firebrand,” a period drama about Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, has sold out internationally ahead of its world premiere on Sunday.

Sources tell Variety that the film has sold into STXInternational for the U.K. and to Sony Pictures for most other overseas markets. FilmNation has sold remaining international markets to independent international distributors.

In the U.K., Variety understands that Prime Video is in the process of buying the film from STX. This could mean that STX is handling a theatrical release, while Prime Video takes the film for streaming, or that the streamer will also handle theatrical in the territory. Sources indicate that Prime Video is also picking up streaming rights in a number of other international markets.

“Firebrand” is being shopped internationally by FilmNation while CAA is handling domestic sales. The film is still available for the U.S. and American buyers are expected to see the movie at Sunday’s eagerly anticipated premiere.

Popular on Variety
Directed by celebrated Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz, “Firebrand” is one of the most anticipated movies at Cannes this year thanks to its A-list cast and fresh take on the well-known historical figure of Henry VIII.

The movie stars Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander as the final queen consort of the House of Tudor opposite Jude Law, who’s virtually unrecognizable as the King of England. Jessica Ashworth and Henrietta Ashworth adapted the screenplay from the 2013 novel “Queen’s Gambit” by Elizabeth Fremantle. (The film title was changed to avoid confusion with Netflix’s hit chess series “The Queen’s Gambit,” starring Anya Taylor-Joy.)

The film takes place in blood-soaked Tudor England as Parr is named Regent while the tyrannical Henry is fighting overseas. When the increasingly ailing and paranoid king returns, he turns his fury on the radicals and charges his wife’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, terrified that she will end up beheaded like Henry’s prior wives.

Several other famous historical figures appear in the film, including Thomas Seymour (played by Sam Riley), Edward Seymour (Eddie Marsan), Stephen Gardiner (Simon Russell Beale) and Anne Askew (Erin Doherty).

Aïnouz has previously attended the festival with his 2002 feature debut “Madame Satã” and 2011’s drama “O Abismo Prateado.”

“Firebrand” is screening in competition at Cannes along with Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City,” Todd Haynes’ romantic drama “May December” and Ken Loach’s “The Old Oak.” Out of competition, Martin Scorsese is bringing “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and James Mangold is premiering “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” This year’s festival runs from May 16-27.

Prime Video declined to comment for this story.