The first trailer for The King’s Man landed today, and along with it comes the promise of a burgeoning new cinematic universe based on the Kingsman comics.
The newest film from series director Matthew Vaughn is a prequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. It establishes how the Kingsman, an elite group of high-class British super spies, is created during WWI when “a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions.” Ralph Fiennes leads the cast, as he appears to be building the first team of Kingsman recruits, including one played by Harris Dickinson. The cast is rounded out by Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance.
The trailer itself seems to have a far more serious tone than the previous films, with a quieter color palette and less outlandish action. That may be in an attempt to differentiate the film from the rest of the previous and upcoming Kingsman content, which looks to turn the franchise into a film- and television-based cinematic universe. A third Kingsman movie will be continuing the story of Taron Egerton’s Eggsy, and a Statesman spin-off movie is in the works along with a possible television series too.
The King’s Man will release on Feb. 14, 2020.
