If you had your heart set on seeing Guy Ritchie's KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: KING ARTHUR next summer, you'll be in for a disappointment. Warner Bros. announced today that they have moved the film from its previous slot of July 22, 2016 to February 17, 2017. The move has nothing to do with lack of faith in the film or that the production needed more time, but simply a desire for a more significant box-office. Warner Bros. saw how well Matthew Vaughn's KINGSMEN: THE SECRET SERVICE did in February this year and seem to think that KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: KING ARTHUR will enjoy a similar success.
This move will put KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: KING ARTHUR up against Sony's BAD BOYS III and Fox's MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE. Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Katie McGrath, Djimon Hounsou, Eric Bana, Mikael Persbrandt, and Annabelle Wallis star in the film which is planned to be the first installment of a six-film franchise; certainly ambitious, but if Guy Ritchie is able to capture the same magic that made his SHERLOCK HOLMES films so enjoyable, we may be in for something fun.
A synopsis for KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: KING ARTHUR:
The bold new story introduces a streetwise young Arthur who runs the back alleys of Londinium with his gang, unaware of the life he was born for until he grasps hold of the sword Excalibur—and with it, his future. Instantly challenged by the power of Excalibur, Arthur is forced to make some hard choices. Throwing in with the Resistance and a mysterious young woman named Guinevere, he must learn to master the sword, face down his demons and unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern, who stole his crown and murdered his parents, and become King.
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: KING ARTHUR charges into theaters on February 17, 2017.
Ritchie's last flick, THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., arrived on Blu-ray just last month.