Firebrand (2023 film)

Firebrand is a 2023 British historical drama film directed by Karim Aïnouz and written by Henrietta Ashworth and Jessica Ashworth, based on the 2013 novel Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle. The film focuses on Katherine Parr, Queen of England and the wife and widow of Henry VIII. It stars Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, and Eddie Marsan. The film marks Aïnouz's first directorial effort in the English language.

Firebrand premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2023, where it was selected to compete for Palme d'Or.

Premise
In the final years of Henry VIII's reign, his sixth and final wife, Katherine Parr, becomes caught between the teachings of the Church of England and the radical preaching of Anne Askew. Years later she avenges Anne's death by choking Henry, but it is in no one's interest to question what really happened.

Production
The film was announced during the 2021 American Film Market. Karim Aïnouz was set to direct, with Michelle Williams and Jude Law cast to star. In March 2022, Alicia Vikander joined the cast, replacing Williams. In May, Sam Riley, Eddie Marsan, Simon Russell Beale and Erin Doherty were among the additional cast announced for the film.

Filming began by April 2022, with production taking place at Haddon Hall in Bakewell, Derbyshire until June.

Release
Firebrand was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on 21 May 2023. FilmNation Entertainment sold the film to STXinternational for the United Kingdom and to Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions for multiple markets including Germany and Asia excluding Japan and independent distributors elsewhere. Amazon Prime Video was rumoured to have been in negotiations to acquire UK rights from STX, but it was later revealed the deal had already taken place in 2022.

In December 2023, Roadside Attractions and Vertical Entertainment acquired US distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a theatrical release on June 14, 2024.