By Wonderwall.com Editors
6:44am PDT, May 10, 2024
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Get ready for lavish sets, sumptuous Tudor-era costumes, sizzling chemistry and a new way of looking at England's King Henry VIII's sixth and final marriage, to Katherine Parr.
"Firebrand" — which stars Jude Law as England's murderous monarch and Alicia Vikander as his reluctant last queen — opens in theaters on June 14. Based loosely on Elizabeth Fremantle's novel "Queen's Gambit," the "period thriller" retells the story of Henry and Katherine's marriage — a matrimony that came with "great personal risk," the movie's synopsis reminds us, "given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead."
While history tells us how Henry and Katherine's lives really ended, "Firebrand" offers a more triumphant final note — for Katherine, at least.
Join us for a first look at scenes from the film plus more details…
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"In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr — Alicia Vikander (seen here in a still from the film) — reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII," according to the official synopsis for "Firebrand."
"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."
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"Henry's courtiers, suspecting Katherine is 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," the synopsis continues.
Here, Patsy Ferran and Junia Rees appear in a scene from "Firebrand."
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"Once Henry (Jude Law, seen here in a still with co-star Eddie Marsan) 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."
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"Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion from Henry and his courtiers," the movie's synopsis explains.
In this still from the film, a grieving Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander) consults with her husband, King Henry VIII (Jude Law).
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"Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine pictured here with must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival," the synopsis teases.
In this movie still, King Henry VIII (Jude Law) shares a quiet moment with Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander).
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In this scene from "Firebrand," Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander) cares for her ailing husband, King Henry VIII (Jude Law), before his death.
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"Firebrand" premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2023, with Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in attendance.
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"Firebrand" was directed by Karim Ainouz, right, pictured here with Jude Law and Alicia Vikander at a photocall for "Firebrand" during the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 22, 2023.
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"Firebrand" stars Jude Law and Junia Rees share a smile and cheer during the premiere of their film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France.
"Firebrand," which also stars Simon Russell Beale, Sam Riley and Erin Doherty, is in theaters June 14.
