With co-writer/directorDavid Michod’s historical dramaThe Kingnow streaming on Netflix, I recently sat down withJoel Edgertonfor an exclusive interview. If you haven’tseen the trailer,The Kingrevolves around a wayward prince (Timothée Chalamet) who ascends the English Throne upon his father’s death at which point he must navigate the politics of the war-torn kingdom. The film blends historical fact and literary fiction to craft a fresh take on the material, which has been the subject of previous films and theWilliam Shakespeareplays Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2 and Henry V.The Kingalso starsSean Harris,Ben Mendelsohn,Robert Pattinson, andLily-Rose Depp.
During the interview, Joel Edgerton talked about co-writing and producing the project, what it was like writing the big speech Chalamet delivers to his troops in the 3rd act, why he loved getting ready for the role, why he’s happy he didn’t direct the film, what he was concerned with before filming began, and more. In addition, with Edgerton currently filmingBarry Jenkins’The Underground Railroad, he talked about what people can expect from the Amazon series.
Check out what he had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about followed by the official synopsis.
Joel Edgerton:
Here’s the official synopsis forThe King:
Inspired by elements of Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Henry V, a young, disgraced prince, Hal inherits the crown and must learn what it means to be a king, guided by his one true friend, Falstaff.
Hal (Timothée Chalamet), wayward prince and reluctant heir to the English throne, has turned his back on royal life and is living among the people. 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 palace politics, chaos and war his father left behind, and the emotional strings of his past life — including his relationship with his closest friend and mentor, the ageing alcoholic knight, John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton). Directed by David Michôd and co-written by Michôd and Edgerton, The King co-stars Sean Harris, Ben Mendelsohn, Robert Pattinson, and Lily-Rose Depp.
