The Kingsman franchise became an unexpected hit upon the release of its first movie in 2014. A 2017 sequel was equally successful, strengthening the brand despite a mixed critical reception. However, instead of making a third film to wrap up Eggsy's storyline, Matthew Vaughn next made a prequel instead. Thus, The King's Man was born.
The film, starring Ralph Fiennes and Harris Dickinson, chronicles the origins of the posh and exceptionally well-dressed organization. The King's Man promises lots of action and English charm, but there are a few things audiences should remember about the franchise as a whole before heading into the cinema to see this latest installment.
The King's Man Is Not A Continuation Of Eggsy's Storyline
A large part of why the original Kingsman was such a success was the charming banter between Eggsy and Harry. Indeed, Colin Firth's debonair spy was so popular that the movies brought him back in the sequel, retconning the first movie's bold choice to kill him halfway through the story.
Fans might be disappointed that The King's Man is not a direct sequel to the first two movies and is instead a way to expand the franchise beyond Eggsy. However, The King's Man includes several action sequences that will satisfy fans of the franchise while also digging deeper into the series' lore.
The King's Man Features A New Lead Character
The King's Man features two characters as proxies to Eggsy and Harry. Revered actor Ralph Fiennes plays Duke Orlando Oxford, while Harris Dickinson portrays the Duke's son, Conrad.
The Kingsman series' formula seems to be older spy trains promising newcomer, and Fiennes and Dickinson fit those roles perfectly. The movie elevates the stakes by making them actual family, adding a personal element to their professional relationship, and cementing the Kingsman organization's reputation as a close-knit circle.
The King's Man Takes Place During WWI
There are several World War I movies that history buffs love, and The King's Man is joining that select group. The movie takes place in the years leading up to the Great War and during the conflict itself, showcasing the events that led to it.
The film takes an admittedly fast-and-loose approach with its historical facts, but high production values showcased in scenes like the No Man's Land sequence make it easier for audiences to ignore the slight mistakes and anachronisms and fall under the film's spell.
The King's Man Includes Historical Characters
In keeping with its setting, The King's Man features a carnival of historical figures among the cast. Most notably, Rhys Ifans plays the film's antagonist, Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin, and Tom Hollander does triple duty playing three prominent figures in the conflict: King George of England, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas of Russia, all of whom were related in real life.
The movie also includes other infamous historical figures, including notorious charlatan Erik Jan Hanussen, misunderstood spy Mata Hari, and, of course, the figure whose murder accelerated the conflict, Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Rasputin Is The King's Man's Central Antagonist
As one of the most infamous figures in history, Grigori Rasputin has featured everything from X-Men comics to animated features, almost always as the villain. Rasputin's reputation as an influential, shadowy figure dates back to his time at Russian court, so it's no surprise that modern interpretations paint him as a cunning and manipulative villain.
Continuing this tradition, Rasputin is one of the smartest characters in The King's Man and the story's central villain. The film depicts him as part of a shadowy organization looking to sow chaos during World War I, a portrayal that fits very well with previous depictions of the character.
The King's Man Has Been Delayed Multiple Times
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many movies were delayed multiple times, including The King's Man. Indeed, the project suffered so many delays that it became something of a joke in Hollywood.
The King's Man's original release date was 08 November 2019. before being pushed back to 15 November 2019 and later to 14 February 2020. When the pandemic began, the film was delayed to September 2020 and then to February 2021. It was moved up to an earlier February date before being pushed back again, this time to March 2021 and then to August, before finally settling in its December 2021 date.
The King's Man Will Play In Theaters For 45 Days
The current Covid-19 pandemic forced the movie business to develop new ways to stay afloat. Cinemas spent most of 2020 closed, and when they finally opened, they had to follow strict social distancing rules, preventing massive crowds from returning. Things seemed to pick up this year, but the current rise in Covid cases due to the new Omicron variant has everyone going back into their homes.
Like other movies before, The King's Man saw its release window shortened. The film will play for 45 days exclusively in theaters before heading to digital platforms for rental and, eventually, purchase. Audiences looking to stream it for free will have to wait significantly longer, but the film will eventually become available at no extra cost, at Hulu, most likely.
Eggsy Will Return For A Third Kingsman Film
Fans of the franchise might be disappointed to know The King's Man isn't a continuation of Eggsy and Harry's storyline, but that doesn't mean they won't return. In a recent interview, while promoting The King's Man, director Matthew Vaughn confirmed Kingsman 3 will begin shooting in fall 2022 and will wrap up Egssy's storyline.
The director doesn't mention Harry's name, but it's almost certain that Firth will return for Eggsy's last hurrah. After all, the two previous movies already proved there's not one without the other, and fans won't be able to resist the Egerton/Firth combo, especially if it's the last time they'll see them together in the Kingsman world.