The latest trend is to make an origins story dark and gritty. Those family friendly films seems too old-fashioned. But if you are tired of the dark and gritty and are looking for something of a lighter fare, then The Kid Who Would Be King could be just the film you are looking for.

It sees Alex (Ashbourne Serkis), a kid who thinks he is a nobody, stumbling upon the legendary Excalibur. He is then pulled into a world where he must unite with a band of knights and work together with Merlin (Patrick Stewart) to defeat Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson). Check out the trailer for the film below along with a poster.

The film hails from Joe Cornish, who directed Attack the Block. As you can see, there are similar themes in this. A nobody kid who is put in an unlikely situation. But instead of dark as night fanged aliens, there’s an Arthurian take to this new film. Ashbourne Serkis – the son of Andy Serkis – takes on the titular role. By the looks of things, this is a softer and tamer version of Cornish’s directorial debut. Which is okay. It just makes it more accessible to a wider audience. Hopefully, this turns out better than some of the previous takes on the Arthurian legend.

And just like a modernist take, the film will see Alex become the knight he was destined to be. However, he’s going to need a little help from a few friends and bullies to become the new Knights of the Round Table – insert joke about converting a square table into a round one. Sure the story and effects may be cheesy, but the film looks like a whole lot of fun, and that’s what’s most important.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Old school magic meets the modern world in the epic adventure THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING. Alex (Ashbourne Serkis) thinks he’s just another nobody, until he stumbles upon the mythical Sword in the Stone, Excalibur. Now, he must unite his friends and enemies into a band of knights and, together with the legendary wizard Merlin (Patrick Stewart), take on the wicked enchantress Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson). With the future at stake, Alex must become the great leader he never dreamed he could be.

The Kid Who Would Be King hits theaters on January 25, 2019.

Trailer

Poster

Kids rule and evil gets schooled in 2019. Check out the official #KidWhoWouldBeKing poster! pic.twitter.com/tYM4X1Duby

— The Kid Who Would Be King (@KidWouldBeKing) October 3, 2018

[Source: 20th Century Fox YT]