Timothée Chalamet will grace our (slightly smaller) screens as he takes on the role of a disgraced prince-turned-monarch in Netflix’s upcoming film The King.

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The King, based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Henry V, is set to be one of Netflix’s biggest releases of the year with its all-star cast, co-written and directed by David Michôd (War Machine).

When is The King released on Netflix?

Netflix will be released in US theatres on 11th October, and on Netflix worldwide on 1st November.

Is there a trailer for The King?

Yes! We now have a final trailer.

We also have a teaser - Chalamet's King Henry V express his worries to his mentor and confidant John Falstaff (Joel Edgerton), who callously tells him that king's don't have friends: only foes and followers. Check it out below.

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Who’s in the cast of The King?

Robert Pattinson (Getty Images)
Robert Pattinson (Getty Images)

Timothée Chalamet will take on the main role of scandalous, disgraced prince Hal who never wanted to be king, but is nevertheless forced into the role of monarch upon the death of his brother.

Joel Edgerton (The Gift, The Great Gatsby) has co-written the film with Michôd and will play Falstaff, a scoundrel knight and the best friend of Hal. Also notable in this star-studded cast is Robert Pattinson as a villainous character known as The Dauphin. Sean Harris (Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation), Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) and Lily-Rose Depp (The Dancer) complete the cast.

The film is directed by Australian David Michôd, who is known for films including Animal Kingdom and The Rover, among others.

The King, Netflix

What is The King about?

The King is predominantly based on Shakespeare’s ‘Henriad’ of plays, mainly Henry IV and Henry V. The productions see a young, rogue prince becoming king when his brother dies, a role which he did not want. He learns how to fight for crown and country amongst political turmoil, bloodshed, and basically everything else that comes with being a monarch in the 15th century.

Is The King based on a true story?

Whilst the film is based on Shakespeare’s plays, which were loosely historically founded, it may be a stretch to claim that this is a true story. Perhaps more of a vague interpretation.

The official synopsis says: “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.”

Who is Timothée Chalamet?

Timothee Chalamet, Getty

Timothée Chalamet, the young American actor whose first significant role was in TV series Homeland, has received critical acclaim in recent years. He is particularly known for his roles in the films Call Me by Your Name (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award) and Lady Bird, as well as his bold red carpet fashion statements.

Rumour has it that Netflix have pinned their 2020 Oscar hopes on Chalamet in The King.

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Will The King sound Shakespearian?

The likelihood is that the film will skip the traditional Shakespearian “thou’s” and “shallt’s”. However, that is not to say that this modernisation will miss out on the drama of Shakespeare.

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