Guy Ritchie’s multi-film franchise for Warner Bros. has another actor potentially in line to sit at the titular table. From a report by Variety, we’ve now learned that Djimon Hounsou (Guardians Of The Galaxy) is in early negotiations to join Knights Of The Roundtable: King Arthur.
Set to bow in 2016, the film has cast Sons Of Anarchy’s Charlie Hunnam in the lead role of King Arthur for what’s being touted as a fresh take on the age-old tale. Poised to take up at his side is Astrid Berges-Frisbey as the loyal Guinevere, while Jude Law is reportedly in talks to nab the chief villain role. Hounsou is in line to pick up the gauntlet left by Idris Elba, who departed the pic earlier this year due to scheduling conflicts. The role will fashion itself around Merlin, with Hounsou providing Hunnam’s King with much-needed counsel.
With his involvement unverified at this stage, in all likelihood Hounsou will be signing away quite a considerable chunk of his future work platter if he takes the role. Slated as the first in a line of King Arthur pics Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow are pushing, their overall plan is to create a grandiose franchise. As is the case nowadays, there’s little point investing in a project if it’s only ONE FILM. Right? So, the powers that be are developing a six film series to keep cinemagoers reaching into their wallets time and time again. With that in mind, if the first part is a dud, expect the follow-ups to get canned faster than you can say “Hand me that sword!”
Knights Of The Roundtable: King Arthur will hit theatres on July 22nd, 2016