Michelle Williams to play Katherine Parr
Firebrand, a new psychological horror film set in the Tudor court and starring Michelle Williams as Henry VIII’s sixth wife, Katherine Parr, will go into production in the UK in early 2022.
Firebrand marks the English-language debut of Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz, whose recent credits include Nardjes A., Central Airport Thf and Invisible Life, which won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. His feature Mariner of the Mountains receives its premiere at Cannes this week (9 July).
Gabrielle Tana of Magnolia Mae produces Firebrand; the screenplay is by Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth. Other key creatives attached include: DoP Hélène Louvart, production designer Maria Djurkovic and costume designer Lisa Duncan. Nina Gold is casting director.
Tana said of the project: “I love all of Karim’s work to date and I’m so excited to be working with him. I know that Michelle will do glorious work with Karim. We’re going to be shooting at the beginning of next year and we’ve already assembled a great team with Hélène Louvart, Maria Djurkovic and Lisa Duncan as well as Nina Gold.”
Director Aïnouz added: “I could not be more excited to be bringing the undiscovered story of Katherine Parr to the screen, a ferociously brilliant woman who I am inspired by deeply and has been largely invisible, or certainly under-represented in English history…
“… This is a reimagining of a “period” film, a psychological horror film set in the Tudor court; a story of intrigue, agency and survival. Having Michelle Williams portray this remarkable woman, an actress of immeasurable talent and passion, is a dream come true.”
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images - © 2018 Getty Images - Image courtesy gettyimages.com.
Also on The Knowledge
Pierce Brosnan, Amir El-Masry to star in AGC’s 'Giant’
Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry will star in AGC’s Naseem Hamed boxing drama Giant, which starts shooting later this month in the UK after the producers relocated from Malta to benefit from the country’s recently announced Independent Film Tax Credit.
Bergerac set to return courtesy of UKTV
Iconic, Jersey-set crime drama Bergerac is set for a revival, courtesy of UKTV Play and BlackLight TV.
Mark Gatiss writing and starring in period crime drama
Mark Gatiss has written and will star in Bookish, a new period crime drama for Alibi.
Netflix orders Agatha Christie drama from The Crown producer
Netflix has commissioned a new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery from a former exec producer of The Crown.
Jason Statham readies to film thriller in UK
Jason Statham is readying to star in a new thriller that begins filming in the UK next week (w/c 8 April), directed by David Ayer.
Shia LaBeouf to shoot crime drama in Wales
Filming begins on 8 April on Salvable, a new crime feature starring Shia LaBeouf set against the backdrop of the boxing world.
