Beta Cinema Launches Nick Hamm’s Epic ‘William Tell’ With Claes Bang, Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber, Golshifteh Farahani & Ben Kingsley; Releases First-Look Image – AFM
24.10.2023 - 16:09
/ deadline.com
Beta Cinema and the UK’s Free Turn Films and Tempo Productions have officially announced Nick Hamm’s epic drama William Tell, as its under-the-radar shoot enters its final week in Italy.
The partners have unveiled a first-look image of Claes Bang in the role of the legendary crossbow-wielding warrior (scroll down to check it out).
Bang is joined in the cast by Connor Swindells, Ellie Bamber, Golshifteh Farahani, Jonah Hauer-King, Rafe Spall, Emily Beecham, Jonathan Pryce and Oscar winner Ben Kingsley.
“As a filmmaker I couldn’t ask for a more exceptional cast to bring this story to life,” said Hamm.
Beta Cinema, which represents worldwide sales rights while WME Independent handles domestic rights, will debut a first sales teaser to buyers at the AFM next week.
Hamm wrote the screenplay, adapting German writer Friedrich Schiller’s 1804 classic play of the same name.
The narrative unfolds in the 14th Century in the final days of the Holy Roman Empire where Europe’s nations vie for supremacy and the ambitious Austrians, desiring more land, set their sights on Switzerland, a serene and pastoral nation.
Protagonist William Tell, a formerly peaceful hunter, finds himself forced to take action as his family and homeland come under threat from the oppressive Austrian King and his ruthless warlords.
“Tell’s story has a relevance and immediacy that is strikingly contemporary. The Apple Scene in particular has gripped the world’s imagination for hundreds of years and yet has never been dramatized in modern cinema,” said Hamm, referring to the iconic scene in which the king challenges Tell to shoot an apple off the head of his son.
William Tell is a Free Turn (Hamm’s production company with brother Jon Hamm) and Tempo production