The King

Timothée Chalamet and the Making of The King: Behind the Scenes of Netflix’s Medieval Epic

David Michôd’s The King (2019) reimagines Shakespeare’s Henry V as a gritty, introspective war drama, with Timothée Chalamet stepping into the role of the young monarch navigating power, betrayal, and battle. The Netflix film, co-written by Michôd and Joel Edgerton (who also stars as Falstaff), blends historical drama with modern sensibilities—both in its storytelling and its production. latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what we know about the making of the film, from casting surprises to on-set dynamics.

Chalamet’s Transformation: From Prince to King

Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Henry V was a departure from his earlier roles in Call Me by Your Name and Little Women. The actor, then 23, embraced the physical and emotional demands of the role, including extensive sword training and a dramatic haircut that became a talking point. In an interview, Chalamet and Michôd discussed the challenges of playing a character thrust into leadership, with Chalamet noting the pressure of embodying a figure burdened by legacy and war .

The film’s battle sequences were particularly grueling. Chalamet revealed in a separate interview that the large-scale fight scenes—filmed in Hungary and England—required weeks of rehearsal and left the cast physically exhausted. "The mud, the rain, the weight of the armor… it was all-consuming," he said, though specifics about injuries or on-set mishaps remain unconfirmed .

Robert Pattinson’s Scene-Stealing Role

One of the film’s most talked-about performances came from Robert Pattinson, who played the Dauphin of France—a role that subverted expectations. Pattinson’s portrayal of the arrogant, effete prince was a deliberate contrast to Henry’s stoicism, and early trailers hinted at a simmering rivalry between the two characters . While the actors haven’t publicly detailed their off-screen dynamic, Pattinson’s commitment to the role (including a reportedly improvised French accent) added a layer of unpredictability to the film.

Lily-Rose Depp, who played Catherine of Valois, shared a glimpse of her chemistry with Chalamet in an exclusive interview. The two discussed a pivotal scene—likely their tense, politically charged meeting—with Depp praising Chalamet’s ability to convey vulnerability beneath Henry’s regal facade . Their real-life friendship (dating back to their Planet of the Apes days) may have helped sell the on-screen tension.

Historical Liberties and Creative Choices

The King takes significant liberties with history, compressing timelines and inventing characters (like Edgerton’s Falstaff) to serve its narrative. Netflix released a featurette breaking down the real story behind Henry V, acknowledging the film’s blend of fact and fiction . Michôd and Edgerton’s script prioritized thematic depth over strict accuracy, focusing on Henry’s internal conflict rather than a traditional biopic structure.

The film’s muted color palette and handheld camerawork during battle scenes were intentional, aiming to immerse viewers in the chaos of medieval warfare. Critics noted the contrast between the film’s visceral action and its quieter, dialogue-driven moments—though audience reactions were mixed, with a 6.3/10 rating on SensCritique reflecting divided opinions .

The Netflix Factor: A Quiet Release

Unlike many Netflix originals, The King didn’t generate the same level of pre-release hype as, say, The Irishman or Roma. Its October 2019 debut was overshadowed by awards-season buzz for other films, and while it earned praise for Chalamet’s performance, it didn’t secure major nominations. The streaming giant’s marketing leaned heavily on trailers highlighting the film’s epic scale and star power, but word-of-mouth remained subdued .