It seems like Guy Ritchie is getting a taste for bringing quasi-historical icons to the big screen. Not content with bringing Sherlock Holmes out of retirement, the British director is now turning his attention to a King Arthur story scripted by John Hodge (of “Trainspotting”).
The project aims to be a “re-imagining” (I hate that word!) of the legend of Arthur, believed to have been a Sixth Century king who defended these fair isles against Saxon invaders. Or he was a Roman cavalry officer, depending on who in Hollywood has the rights at the time! Either way, Ritchie and co. are going with the Sixth Century king angle with the key source for the material to be “Le Morte d’Arthur” by Thomas Mallory, originally published in 1485.
I hardly think the world is calling out for a new King Arthur flick right now, although the British TV series Merlin, about the young wizard and a similarly youthful Arthur, has found popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. But maybe Ritchie can make it fun and action packed and slightly more historically accurate than previous incarnations (I’m looking at you Ioan Gruffudd and your dual-wielding sword play!). What is more annoying is the fact that Ritchie was apparently on board for directing a film based on alien bounty hunter and DC Comics fan-favourite Lobo before Sherlock Holmes hit the big time. It would be nice to see Ritchie take on a futuristic character like Lobo instead of hanging around with all those old relics like Sherlock Holmes, King Arthur and Madonna.
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I read “Le Morte d’Arthur” in medieval lit class. It’s a really fascinating story and it would be nice to see an ARTHUR movie that actually works. FIRST KNIGHT and KING ARTHUR were pretty mediocre and EXCALIBUR was a bore (albeit one with an awesome score).
I actually love “Excalibur.”
You are far from alone, sir.
No film out there has been created that has been true to the real Arthurian legend. Mallory’s version, the one most subsequent versions have adulterated, is far different, more complicated and vastly more universal and meaningful. It reflects a base of western culture and its many conflicts that continue to frustrate us. I am so hopeful that this version will be an honest version of this western myth.