It’s been seven years since Joe Cornish released his thrilling directorial debut with Attack The Block – a film that brought sci-fi tropes crashing into a tower block in South London for a genre mash-up that was part John Carpenter, part Kidulthood. Now he’s back with his second film, The Kid Who Would Be King, and as the first trailer reveals, it’s about to bring a family-focused and very funny spin on the Arthurian legends of old.
Cornish’s second film is looking to be a total treat, with inspired gags (that fold-out round table), engaging kid performances, and a real sense of adventure. In the lead role is Louis Ashbourne Serkis (son of Andy) as Alexander Elliot, a kid who finds Excalibur, the sword in the stone, in a building site. When he successfully lifts it from a concrete pillar, a fantasy apocalypse is triggered – with Rebecca Ferguson’s villainous Morgana awakening from her centuries-long slumber.
Also in the cast is Angus Imrie as a sprightly young Merlin, Patrick Stewart as his older counterpart, Dean Chaumoo as Alex’s best made Bedders, and Tom Taylor and Rhianna Dorris as bullies-turned-allies Lance and Kaye.
The Kid Who Would Be King will ascend to its rightful throne in UK cinemas on 15 February 2019 – and stay tuned to Empire for a trailer breakdown with Joe Cornish, talking King Arthur, zombie knights, and bunking off school to eat McDonalds.
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