Firebrand Acquired by Roadside Attractions & Vertical

Roadside Attractions and Vertical land US rights to the historical thriller, Firebrand, directed by Brazilian-Algerian filmmaker Karim Aïnouz and starring Alicia Vikander(Ex-Machina, The Danish Girl) and Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Sherlock, Cold Mountain, The Grand Budapest Hotel). The film is based on Elizabeth Fremantle’s historical novel Queen’s Gambit, and it represents the latest collaboration between Roadside Attractions and Vertical. The two companies’ recent collaborations include Emily the Criminal, Benediction, The Pod Generation, The Desperate Hour, and Alice. Firebrand will open only in theatres June 21, 2024

Firebrand follows legendary Queen of England, Katherine Parr, and her quest to survive the perilous last months in the life of her ailing and abusive husband, Henry VIII. The film co-stars BAFTA nominee Eddie Marsan (21 Grams, Wrath of Man), Sam Riley (Control, Maleficent), BAFTA Award-winner Simon Russell Beale (The Death of Stalin, Benediction) and SAG Award-winner Erin Doherty (The Crown, Intelligent Design). Firebrand is produced by Oscar®-nominated and BAFTA-winning film and television producer Gabrielle Tana (Thirteen Lives, The Dig, Philomena, The Duchess) and Carolyn Marks Blackwood (Cottontail, The Dig).

In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accompli<a href="shed, and educated Katherine Parr (Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given her predecessors are either vanqui<a href="shed, beheaded, or dead. Appointed as Regent when Henry departs to fight overseas, Katherine embraces the opportunity, doing everything <a href="she can to push for a new future based on her radical Protestant beliefs.

Henry’s courtiers perceive her as a threat to their power and scheme to cast doubts upon her fidelity and turn the increasingly ailing and paranoid King against her. Upon his return to England, the courtiers convince Henry 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. 

Horrified and privately grieving, but forced to deny it, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Everyone holds their breath – for the queen to slip up, for Henry to take her head like wives before. With the hope for a future free of tyranny at risk, will Katherine submit to the inevitable for the sake of King and country?

Roadside Attractions’ Co-Presidents Howard Cohen & Eric d’Arbeloff remarked, “Alicia Vikander creates an indelible film character in her portrayal of Katherine Parr, a woman who had to draw on every ounce of her brilliance and passion to survive her abusive husband, terrifyingly brought to life in Jude Law’s stunning performance as Henry.”

Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey commented,  “We were blown away when we saw the film in Cannes and are now thrilled to be bringing it to audiences next year.  Not only is it an extraordinary story with great performances, Karim Aïnouz is one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.” 

Aïnouz  added, “I could not be more excited to be bringing Firebrand to the screen and telling the story of Katherine Parr — a ferociously brilliant, enlightened, and emancipated woman who I am deeply inspired by— a woman who has been largely disregarded, or certainly under-represented, in English history. Much is known about Henry VIII’s tyrannical reign; indeed, much is known about the King himself and about those who peri<a href="shed at his hands, but my focus here is on a woman who not only managed to survive him, but also to thrive and succeed on her own terms.”

The film is produced by Gabrielle Tana and  Carolyn Marks Blackwood based on the novel Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle; screenplay is written by Henrietta Ashworth (Killing Eve, The Crowded Room) and Jessica Ashworth (Becoming Jane, Killing Eve) with additional writing by Rosanne Flynn. Maria Logan, Anne Sheehan, Rosanne Flynn and Nicola Hart serve as Executive Producers.

Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal on behalf of Vertical; Cohen, d’Arbeloff and VP of Acquisitions Angel An negotiated the deal on behalf of Roadside Attractions with CAA on behalf of the filmmakers. Aïnouz is represented by Lark Management and CAA.