There is no shortage of World War II films out there, but this upcoming action flick might bring a twist to a moment in time that has been revisited through multiple productions.Guy Ritchie, who recently directed theNetflix series adaptation of his 2020 filmThe Gentlemen, will embark on a spy venture next. Based onDamien Lewis' novel,The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfarefollows a real-life team headed by Winston Churchill who used their gun-shooting skills to detain the Nazis. A not-so-easy task is executed successfully thanks to the group’s fearless leader (Henry Cavill), who doesn’t shy away when it comes to killing the enemy. With a stacked cast playing this ragtag band of soldiers, it might be hard to keep on top of all the characters at first. To prep you for watchingThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfarein theaters, here is a handy guide to who’s who in this hysterical and bloody espionage adventure.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
The British military recruits a small group of highly-skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.
Henry Cavill
Gus March-Phillips
Sergeant Gus March-Phillips is the leader of the first special forces team in World War II. The character is based on a real-life British military personnel who was a key member of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). After Churchill decided to launch this spy team specialized in irregular warfare, March-Phillips became the glue that stuck everything together. In many instances in the film, it is clear how much the character loves chaos and will burst out in laughter while holding his gun at point-blank.
Henry Cavill plays the leader in Ritchie’s film, and the actor is primarily known for playing Superman in the DCUprior toDavid Corenswetlanding the role. He also starred as Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix seriesThe Witcher. This year, Cavill led another spy film entitledArgylle, alongsideBryce Dallas HowardandJohn Cena.In an interview with Collider’s own Steve Weintraub, he talked more about his character inThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareand how he came up with the sergeant’s signature mustache:
The facial hair was me. That was something which I just thought, “Have some fun with it. World War II, have a crazy mustache, slightly mad characters. Let’s really lean into it.”
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfaremarks Cavill’s second collaboration with Ritchie after having headlined the 2015 action-spy-comedyThe Man From U.N.C.L.E.as Napoleon Solo. He has also already shot his third film with Ritchie,In the Grey, which is set to hit theaters in early 2025.
Eiza González
Marjorie Stewart
Marjorie Stewart is a bold agent of SOE and is considered “a secret weapon” in the team. There is no record to prove that the real-life Marjorie Stewart was part of the group. Yet, she did go on to marry Gus March-Phillips in 1942 and was later known as an actress who performed in West End plays.
Eiza Gonzálezplays Marjorie in the film, and she has been versatile when it comes to onscreen projects. From her breakout roles inBaby Driverand the horror seriesFrom Dusk til Dawntoher latest sci-fi credit in3 Body Problem, she’s shown her ability to pull off several genres.In a sit-down interview with Drew Barrymore on The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress shared her experience learning to speak and sing in German for the spy film:
“I pushed for it. I worked really, really hard. I have to speak German, I have to speak Italian, I have to speak French. And then he was like, ‘Can you sing? Would you sing?’ And I was like, ‘I think I can sing.’”
WhileThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfaremarks González’s first movie with Ritchie, she has already reunited with the filmmaker alongside Cavill on the aforementionedIn the Grey. She is currently working with Ritchie for a third time on his other upcoming movie,Fountain of Youth.
Alan Ritchson
Anders Lassen
Anders Lassen is an agent in Operation Postmaster (headed by the SOE), who was born and raised in Denmark. According to the true events that inspired the Guy Ritchie film, Lassen received a Military Cross for his role in the operation. Throughout his lifetime he fought in and out of Europe and died at the age of 24, receiving a posthumous Victoria Cross for his bravery.
Alan Ritchsonis Anders Lassen in the action project, and it isn’t the first time that he has taken on a physically demanding role. Known for playing the titular character in Prime Video’sReacher,the actor has been featured in several action-packed onscreen endeavors, includingSmallville,Titans,Fast X, andThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The actorshared with The Hollywood Reporter that he expected even more gorefrom Richie’s film, considering that the real Lassen was very passionate about executing his mission:
“I came into his trailer and I said, ‘Here’s my perspective on the action. Anders Lassen hated these Nazis. This was not just a dutiful soldier. This guy f*cking had a mission. He wanted to murder these guys. He didn’t just want to kill [them]. He wanted hate kills. We should see malice in the knife. It should be gory and we should expose innards as he cuts people. We shouldn’t hide anything. It should all be in your face. I was insane. He said he would think about it.”
Ritchson’s upcoming projects includeReacherSeason 3, and the action-comediesThe Man With The BagandPlaydate.
Alex Pettyfer
Geoffrey Appleyard
Geoffrey Appleyard is an agent who takes part in Operation Postmaster. The real Geoffrey Appleyard was previously linked to the Royal Army Service Corps and the British Expeditionary Force before joining the ragtag band of soldiers.
Alex Pettyferplays the character in the film, and he has previously starred inI Am Number FourandThe I-Land. According to the actor in a Collider interview, he was previously considered for the role of Gus March-Philipps before Cavill landed the part.
Well, originally, I was playing Henry’s character and Henry was playing mine, and through the dialogue we just managed to switch characters. [Laughs] But I think there is a beauty to what Guy does. I think when you come in and there’s a spontaneity, it brings a freshness, and we’re all in the same boat. There’s a real collaborative experience when you are sitting there and it’s not necessarily the scenes that are changing, but just the interaction between the characters. It’s the first time that I’ve gone on to a movie and haven’t done any prep, and built a character with a director and the rest of the cast, and what a fun experience that is.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin
Henry Hayes
Henry Hayes (known in real life as Graham Hayes) was also a key member of Operation Postmaster. Like Lassen, after the mission he received a Military Cross for his service. The film will also follow the character in Operation Aquatint, in which he was one of the few who were able to make it out in time before the German patrol arrived. The real Henry Hayes went on the run after that and was subject to solitary confinement until he was executed in 1943.
Hero Fiennes Tiffinplays Henry Hayes, and this role is a departure from previous projects he’s been cast in. From playing Hardin,the bad boy in theAfterfranchise, to playing the young version of Lord Voldemort inHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the actor is finally tackling an action role in Richie’s film.
Henry Golding
Freddy Alvarez
Freddy Alvarez is one of the “chaos-loving” members of the SOE and is known by the bunch as “the saboteur”.
Henry Goldingplays Freddy Alvarez after having previously worked with Richie inThe Gentlemenmovie. Yet, he is predominantly known for his rom-com credits, including the belovedCrazy Rich AsiansandLast Christmas. He will be seen next inNine Perfect StrangersSeason 2, the sci-fi romanceDaniela Forever, and the sequels toThe Old GuardandA Simple Favor.
Babs Olusanmokun
Mr. Heron is an undercover spy, like the rest of the SOE, and he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. Throughout the film, he constantly interacts with Marjorie, and together they are able to cause havoc.
Babs Olusanmokunplays Mr. Heron in the film and he has been linked to a few sci-fi titles, includingStar Trek: Strange New Worldsand theDunefranchise. This marks Olusanmokun’s second collaboration with Ritchie afterWrath of Manin 2021.
The film also starsCary Elwesas Brigadier Gubbins ‘M’,Til Schweigeras Henrich Luhr,Henrique Zagaand Captain Binea, andFreddie Foxas Ian Fleming.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfarewill arrive in theaters on August 08, 2025.
