Roadside Attractions And Vertical Acquire Rights To Historical Thriller ‘Firebrand’ Starring Alicia Vikander And Jude Law

The historical thriller, based on the best-selling novel Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle, Firebrand is set to release in theaters on June 21, 2024. Roadside Attractions and Vertical have acquired U.S. rights to the film starring Alicia Vikander and Jude Law, which world premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. 

Written by Henrietta Ashworth (Killing Eve), Jessica Ashworth (Becoming Jane), and Rosanne Flynn, the Karim Aïnouz-directed film’s plot follows the Queen of England Katherine Parr, portrayed by Vikander, and her survival against her marriage to the tyrannical King Henry VIII played by Jude Law. The cast also includes Eddie Marsan (21 Grams), Sam Riley (Control), Simon Russell Beale (The Death of Stalin), and Erin Doherty (The Crown). Gabrielle Tana (Thirteen Lives, The Dig) and Carolyn Marks Blackwood (Cottontail, The Dig) will produce with Maria Logan, Anne Sheehan, Rosanne Flynn, and Nicola Hart as executive producers.

With the film written and produced by women, Firebrand tells the story of a woman surviving under the toxic power of a man. “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,” director Aïnouz says via Deadline.  

Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey branded Karim Aïnouz as “one of the most exciting filmmakers working today” while Roadside Attractions’ co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff said about the cast via Variety, “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.”

On behalf of Vertical, Jarowey and senior vice president of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal. The co-presidents of Roadside Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff and the vice president of Acquisitions Angel An represent their company while CAA the filmmakers.