Oscar-nominatedCall Me by Your NamestarTimothée Chalametis firming up his next project, and he—like many—is heading to Netflix. PerDeadline, Chalamet has signed on to star inThe King, a Netflix original movie that revolves around the life of a young Henry V.Animal KingdomfilmmakerDavid Michôdis set to direct, marking his second movie for Netflix after helming theBrad Pitt-fronted satireWar Machine, which was released on the streaming service early last year.
The story finds Henry V ascending the throne when his brother is killed in battle before he’s coronated, becoming King in the late 1300s. The empire is teetering as England is at war with France, and thus Henry V steps into a tumultuous time. Michôd wrote the screenplay withJoel Edgerton, who is also producing alongside Plan B’s Brad Pitt,Dede GardnerandJeremy Kleiner, the trio behind films like12 Years a Slave.
After premieringCall Me by Your Nameat the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews last year, Chalamet went off and shot the intense drug addiction-centric dramaBeautiful BoyoppositeSteve Carell, which hits theaters this year, butThe Kingis the first project he’s signed on to in the wake of his Oscar nomination. Indeed, while Chalamet had solid turns in things likeInterstellarandHomeland, he broke out in a big way last year with not only his phenomenal leading role inCall Me by Your Name, but also a hilarious and very specific supporting turn inGreta Gerwig’sLady Bird.
Chalamet has been upfront about the fact that he’s been up for superhero roles in the past (namely Spider-Man), but it’s heartening to see him tackling a project likeThe Kingnext—an intricate character drama that in no way offers an easy role to fill. Production is set to begin in June, and it’ll be interesting to see where Chalamet’s career goes from here now that he’s solidified himself as one of the best young actors working today.
