The huge popularity of fantasy historical series has sparked a renewed interest in historical characters, according to producers
The global success of Game of Thrones<\/em>, the fantasy historical series, has sparked a renewed interest in history among film-makers, according to the writer behind a new movie based on the life of William the Conqueror.
HBO\u2019s adaptation of author George RR Martin\u2019s<\/a> epic novels drew millions of viewers for each episode, making Game of Thrones <\/em>one of the biggest television series of all time. Its plots and characters were rooted in historical characters, with Aegon the Conqueror supposedly based on William the Conqueror.
Now film-makers are developing two big productions about the 11th-century Norman king, who changed the course of British history by defeating England\u2019s Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
A feature film, The Conquest: William the Conqueror<\/em>, will bring to life \u201cone of the most feared and admired leaders of all time\u201d, while a separate television drama series, titled King and Conqueror<\/em> and starring the Happy Valley <\/em>actor James Norton<\/a>, is \u201cthe story of a clash that defined the future of a country\u201d.
Solomon J LeFlore, writer and producer of The Conquest<\/em>, said that Game of Thrones\u2019s<\/em> success has inspired the film industry\u2019s interest in action and adventure based on history. He described his film as \u201ca Shakespearean melodrama with all the critical elements that made Game of Thrones<\/em> and other historical tales an incredibly popular genre\u201d.
The story of William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, is \u201ccompelling, with larger-than-life characters and shocking plot twists\u201d, he said. \u201cHistorical films particularly appeal to young people and their need to escape from the current reality \u2013 Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan, Mali, Myanmar.\u201d He added: \u201cI believe the success of the Marvel [cinematic] Universe-based movies, with its compelling and complex characters that are relatable to audiences, may be a contributing factor to the demand for such films.
\u201cWilliam has all of the powerful elements that young audiences \u2013 especially video-gamers \u2013 look for in heroic or powerful characters.\u201d
Game of Thrones <\/em>had its share of spectacular battle scenes, but the Battle of Hastings is the ultimate conflict to stir imaginations. Before his death from wounds received on the battlefield, Harold says in the The Conquest\u2019s <\/em>screenplay that \u201carrows fly and blood flows\u201d, adding: \u201cIt seems that blood is the quickest path to power.\u201d
While the epic story is recorded in the Bayeux tapestry, a masterpiece of 11th-century Romanesque art, LeFlore is astonished that, beyond a 2015 television production<\/a>, there has not been a feature-length William the Conqueror movie until now: \u201cIt is the biggest mystery. But such a fascinating story in a very important time in history. We\u2019ve had how many Robin Hood films? But the fact is that there hasn\u2019t been a William, and he\u2019s such a transformative character. .\u201d
His film is placing an emphasis on historical accuracy: \u201cWilliam\u2019s life was so fascinating. Why would you deviate away from the factual history of that story? There\u2019s no reason to.\u201d
Noting that his movie will also depict William\u2019s queen, Matilda of Flanders, as a strong character, he added: \u201cMatilda was part of the world\u2019s first power couple. Together, William and Matilda transformed English and European history. We do take some licence from time to time, but we don\u2019t deviate from the history much at all. \u201dIn one scene from The Conquest\u2019s <\/em>screenplay, Matilda warns that her husband will have Harold \u201ckilled and scattered to the four corners of Normandy\u201d.
Creatives involved with the new film include the Oscar-winning Richard Taylor, co-founder of the New Zealand-based prop design and special effects company W\u0113t\u0101 Workshop, who is best known for his work on Peter Jackson\u2019s Lord of the Rings<\/em><\/a> film trilogy.
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The cast is yet to be announced, but A-list actors being courted are thought to include Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars <\/em>franchise, as William, and Tom Hiddleston<\/a>, who became a household name playing Loki, the arch enemy of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Harold.
A shoot is being planned for next year, in Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK.
The eight-part television series will star the Game of Thrones<\/em> actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, and Norton, whose credits also include Greta Gerwig\u2019s 2019 film Little Women<\/em><\/a>, as Harold.
The series will air on BBC<\/a> One and BBC iPlayer. In a statement, Sue Deeks, head of BBC programme acquisitions, said: \u201cIn the UK, we learn about William the Conqueror, the Battle of Hastings and King Harold\u2019s gruesome death in our school history lessons \u2013 but those headlines are all most of us can remember. <\/em>
\u201cKing and Conqueror <\/em>will bring Harold and William to life, depicting their lives, loves and families, and the gripping, high-stakes power game that led to their fateful meeting in 1066.\u201d<\/p>\n