Samuel Goldwyn Films Will Bring Medieval Epic 'William Tell' to Theaters in 2025
Claes Bang in "William Tell"
(Photo: Samuel Goldwyn)
Everyone is familiar with William Tell, but few probably know much about him beyond the often-repeated story about the time he shot an arrow through an apple on top of his son's head. Somehow, the bit where that whole thing actually sparked a battle for Swiss independence seems to get left by the wayside. But, at long last, the famous folk hero will get his due, with an action-heavy feature film about his exploits --- and the resistance they inspired --- set to hit theaters next year.
William Tell had its world premiere last week at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was immediately scooped up by Samuel Goldwyn Films for U.S. audiences. The film, labeled a "resistance epic", will follow the story of the cross-bow-wielding folk hero who, after failing to salute a government official, is forced to shoot an apple off the head of his own son to save his family from execution. Thankfully his aim is true, and his actions inspired everything from a rebellion among his people to, centuries later, a well-known orchestral overture and a fairly outstanding Far Side comic.
Claes Bang (Bad Sisters) stars as William, a formerly peaceful hunter who finds himself forced to take action when his homeland comes under threat from the oppressive Austrian king and his warlords. There are some Swiss Braveheart vibes here, to be sure, as a group of oppressed people rally to defend their liberty against a would-be tyrannical force that seems to subjugate them. Plus, the scope and scale of the story look downright impressive.
Connor Swindells in "William Tell"
(Photo: Samuel Goldwyn)
Here's the film's description.
Inspired by the legendary tale, Claes Bang takes on the role of William Tell, a noble huntsman whose peaceful life is shattered when the ruthless Austrian Empire invades his homeland of Switzerland. Unwilling to bend the knee before his country’s oppressors, William Tell is thrust into a perilous trial, one that draws him and his family into the epicenter of a revolution that will shape the destiny of his nation.
William Tell also stars Connor Swindells (Sex Education), Golshifteh Farahani (Invasion), Jonah Hauer-King (World on Fire), Ellie Bamber (Les Miserables), Rafe Spall (Trying), Emily Beecham (The Pursuit of Love), and Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment), as well as Ben Kingsley (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar) and Jonathan Pryce (The Crown).
“Nick did an amazing job with this historical epic, we’re incredibly excited to bring this legendary story to the big screen,” Samuel Goldwyn Films president Peter Goldwyn said in a statement.
Baesd on Frederich Schiller's play of the same name, the film is written and directed by Nick Hamm (Driven). Piers Tempest (The Wife) and Marie-Christine Jaeger-Firmenich (Gigi & Nate) are producers.
“Samuel Goldwyn Films is passionate about our medieval resistance epic and, given their strong track record with bringing European films to audiences in North America, we are thrilled to be working with them," Tempest and Jaeger-Firmenich said.
William Tell is expected to be released in theaters in early 2025.
