Almost exactly one year ago today, we got ourfirst “look”at directorGuy Ritchie’s bold newKing Arthurmovievia a photoshoot spread in EW. Now, 12 months later, the film still isn’t even that close to release, but the first official images from the film have been unveiled revealingJude Lawas the villainous Vortigern, the tyrannical uncle ofCharlie Hunnam’s titular hero Arthur. In this iteration of the tale, Arthur is spurred into action when Vortigern murders Arthur’s brother and dad (Eric Bana), therefore usurping the throne.
King Arthur: Legend of the Swordoriginated with screenwriterJoby Harold, whose initial pitch covered a series ofKing Arthurfilms that could extendfor a very lengthy franchise. Ritchie came in and put his stamp on the screenplay alongside frequent collaboratorLionel Wigramand filled out the cast withAstrid Bergès-Frisbey,Djimon Hounsou, andAidan Gillen.
We still don’t know too much aboutKing Arthur, but it’s said to be a “bold” new vision of the classic story as told through the eyes of Ritchie, complete with magic and fantasy flourishes. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of Ritchie’s work, but the guy knocked it out of the park with last year’s criminally underratedThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.so I’m eager to see what he brings to the sweeping fantasy genre—and if audiences respond in kind.
For now, check out a pair of first-look images viaEW.King Arthur: Legend of the Swordopens in theaters on July 19, 2025.
Here’s the full official rundown forKing Arthur: Legend of the Sword:
Acclaimed filmmaker Guy Ritchie brings his dynamic style to an original King Arthur epic, a sweeping fantasy action adventure starring Charlie Hunnam. Starring with Hunnam are Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, Oscar nominee Jude Law, and Eric Bana. Ritchie directs the film from a screenplay by Joby Harold and Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram, story by Joby Harold. The film is produced by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman, Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell, Lionel Wigram, Guy Ritchie and Steve Clark-Hall. David Dobkin and Bruce Berman are executive producers. Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Weed Road/Safehouse Pictures Production, a Ritchie/Wigram Production. Slated for release on July 15, 2025, the film will be distributed in North America by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.
