View source for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword


{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox film
| image                = King Arthur LotS poster.jpg
| alt                  = King Arthur wields the sword, Excalibur, as an inscription on it lightly glows with debris hovering around the subjects.
| caption              = British theatrical release poster
| director             = [[Guy Ritchie]]
| screenplay           = {{plainlist|
* [[Joby Harold]]
* Guy Ritchie
* [[Lionel Wigram (film producer)|Lionel Wigram]]
}}
| story                = {{plainlist|
* [[David Dobkin (director)|David Dobkin]]
* Joby Harold
}}
| producer             = {{plainlist|
* [[Akiva Goldsman]]
* Joby Harold
* [[Tory Tunnell]]
* Steve Clark-Hall
* Guy Ritchie
* Lionel Wigram
}}<!-- producers only, not executive producers -->
| starring             = {{plainlist|
* [[Charlie Hunnam]]
* [[Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey]]
* [[Djimon Hounsou]]
* [[Aidan Gillen]]
* [[Jude Law]]
* [[Eric Bana]]
}}
| cinematography       = [[John Mathieson (cinematographer)|John Mathieson]]
| editing              = James Herbert
| music                = [[Daniel Pemberton]]
| production_companies = {{plainlist|
* [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name=insight>{{cite web|url=http://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401031536/https://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php|title=Film releases|work=[[Variety Insight]]|archive-date=1 April 2017|access-date=11 November 2017}}</ref>
* [[Village Roadshow Pictures]]<ref name=insight/>
* [[RatPac Entertainment|RatPac-Dune Entertainment]]<ref>{{cite web |title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/59ba5c0bc5ded |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702144003/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/59ba5c0bc5ded |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 July 2018 |website=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref>
* [[Akiva Goldsman|Weed Road Pictures]]<ref name=insight/>
* Safehouse Pictures<ref name=insight/>
* Ritchie/Wigram Productions<ref name=insight/>
}}
| distributor          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Roadshow Films]] (Australia and New Zealand)<ref name=BOM/>
* Warner Bros. Pictures (International)
}}
| released             = {{film date|df=yes|2017|5|8|[[TCL Chinese Theatre]]|2017|5|12|United States|2017|5|19|United Kingdom}}
| runtime              = 126 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |title=King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtodgxmdaw |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220116013554/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtodgxmdaw |archive-date=16 January 2022 |access-date=16 January 2022 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref>
| country              = {{plainlist|
* Australia<ref name=allmovie>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword-v597598|title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)|work=[[AllMovie]]|access-date=12 May 2017}}</ref>
* United Kingdom<ref name=allmovie/>
* United States<ref name=allmovie/>
}}
| language             = English
| budget               = $175 million<ref name="preview" />
| gross                = $148.7 million<ref name=BOM>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=kingarthur2016.htm |title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref>
}}

'''''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword''''' is a 2017 [[epic film|epic]] [[fantasy film|fantasy]] [[Action film#Action-adventure|action-adventure film]] directed by [[Guy Ritchie]], who co-wrote the film with [[Joby Harold]] and [[Lionel Wigram (film producer)|Lionel Wigram]] from a story by Harold and [[David Dobkin (director)|David Dobkin]], inspired by [[Arthurian legends]]. The film tells the origin story of [[King Arthur]], played by [[Charlie Hunnam]], a man who discovers his lineage after taking the [[Excalibur#The Sword in the Stone and the Sword in the Lake|sword in the stone]], and teams up with a group of rebels to face against the tyrannical king [[Vortigern]], played by [[Jude Law]]. [[Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey]], [[Djimon Hounsou]], [[Aidan Gillen]], and [[Eric Bana]] star in supporting roles.<ref name=NPR>{{cite news|last1=Jenkins|first1=Mark|title='King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword': An Edgy Script, Dulled By CGI|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/05/11/527046584/king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword-an-edgy-script-dulled-by-cgi|publisher=[[NPR]]|date=11 May 2017|access-date=17 May 2017}}</ref>

''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'' premiered at the [[TCL Chinese Theater]] on 8 May 2017 and was theatrically released on 12 May 2017 in the United States and 19 May 2017 in the United Kingdom. The film received mixed reviews and grossed $148.7 million worldwide against its $175 million production budget. Originally, the film was meant to be the first in a six-film franchise, but the planned sequels were cancelled after it [[Box-office bomb|underperformed at the box office]] and lost [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] and [[Village Roadshow Pictures]] over $150 million.<ref name="losses" />

==Plot==
[[Mordred]] the [[warlock]] and his armies lay siege to [[Camelot]]. [[Uther Pendragon]], the king of the [[Britons]], infiltrates Mordred's lair during the attack and beheads him with the help of a unique sword forged by [[Merlin]], saving Camelot. Uther's brother [[Vortigern]]— who covets the throne — orchestrates a coup and sacrifices his wife Elsa to Syrens in order to become a [[Demon]] Knight. He kills Uther's wife [[Igraine]] and defeats Uther; Uther's son [[King Arthur|Arthur]] escapes by boat and ends up in [[Londinium]]. Taken in by prostitutes, he becomes a tough and sophisticated minor chieftain. However, Arthur is plagued by nightmares of the night that his parents died without seeing who attacked them.

Vortigern rules Britain cruelly and dedicates resources to building a tower near the castle. When the water surrounding the castle recedes, revealing a sword in a stone, he has all the men in the city taken to it in an attempt to remove it. Arthur is able to evade capture with the help of the prostitutes but is eventually caught. He is taken to the stone where he removes the sword but is overwhelmed by its power and passes out. In captivity, Vortigern explains Arthur's lineage and the sword's significance to him before planning his execution.

Meanwhile, a mage identifying herself as an acolyte of [[Merlin]] presents herself to Uther's former general, Sir [[Bedivere]]. At Arthur's planned execution, the mage creates a diversion while Bedivere's men rescue Arthur. Taken to Bedivere's hideout, Arthur initially refuses to help them, not believing that he is king. The mage persuades Bedivere to take Arthur to a realm called the "Darklands", where he sees a vision of how the Demon Knight, revealed to be Vortigern, killed his mother. He also witnesses his father sacrifice himself to save Arthur and entomb the [[Excalibur#The Sword in the Stone and the Sword in the Lake|sword in stone]] made of his own body, making him realize that he is indeed the rightful king. Arthur learns Vortigern was responsible for persuading Mordred to attack Camelot, having grown jealous of Uther's popularity and wanting the throne for himself. He builds the tower to increase his own magical powers.

Arthur and the rebels chip away at Vortigern's army and eventually plan an assassination attempt. Vortigern eludes the assassination, and a battle ensues. Arthur escapes with his friend Back Lack's son Blue but several of his men are killed and one is captured and Back Lack is killed by Vortigern. Frustrated with the situation, Arthur attempts to throw the sword into a lake, but the [[Lady of the Lake]] returns it and shows him a vision of England's future under Vortigern's rule. Coming to terms with his responsibility, Arthur reunites with Bedivere and they return to their hideout. However, because their captured man revealed its location under torture, the mage and Blue had been captured, and all other rebels killed. An emissary from Vortigern instructs Arthur to surrender that day at the castle.

Bedivere brings the sword to Vortigern at the castle in exchange for the mage, indicating that Arthur is powerless without the sword. Arthur promises to surrender himself the next day in exchange for Blue. Before riding to the castle, the mage injects him with special snake venom to protect him from a surprise attack she has in store. When Arthur confronts Vortigern, a giant snake attacks the castle under the control of the mage, saving Arthur. However, Vortigern is covered in the blood of a snake that tries to attack him, providing him protection from the giant snake. As Bedivere's rebels begin their attack, Arthur reclaims his sword and follows Vortigern into the tower. Needing help from the moat hags once more, Vortigern sacrifices his daughter Princess Catia to again become the Demon Knight and is confronted by Arthur. After a brutal fight, Arthur has a vision of his father passing the sword of Excalibur on to him, enabling him to defeat Vortigern. As Vortigern dies, Arthur consoles him and leaves his body behind. In the aftermath, the rebels are victorious and celebrate.

After reclaiming his rightful throne, Arthur knights his friends and begins construction on his [[Round Table]].

==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Charlie Hunnam]] as [[King Arthur]], Uther's son, Vortigern's nephew, Catia's cousin and the would-be king of Britain who was raised by prostitutes.
* [[Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey]] as the [[Magician (fantasy)|Mage]], a woman working for Merlin who supports Arthur and the resistance.
* [[Djimon Hounsou]] as [[Bedivere|Sir Bedivere]], the leader of the resistance and a former knight of Uther.
* [[Aidan Gillen]] as Goosefat Bill, a skilled archer, Bedivere's friend, a former knight of Uther and a member of the resistance; who later resumes his identity as Sir William.
* [[Mikael Persbrandt]] as Greybeard, a Viking; who has deals with Vortigern.
* [[Jude Law]] as [[Vortigern]], Uther's brother, Elsa's husband, Catia's father, Arthur's uncle and the tyrannical and ruthless king of Britain. He is able to transform himself into a demonic knight.
* [[Eric Bana]] as [[Uther Pendragon]], Vortigern's brother, Arthur's father and the previous king of Britain.
* [[Annabelle Wallis]] as Maggie, a member of Vortigern's court, who helps the resistance.
* [[Peter Ferdinando]] as Earl of Mercia.
* [[Kingsley Ben-Adir]] as Wet Stick, Arthur and Back Lack's childhood friend; who is later knighted by Bedivere under his real name as [[Tristan|Sir Tristan]].
* [[Neil Maskell]] as Back Lack, Arthur and Wet Stick's childhood friend and Blue's father; who helps the resistance. 
* [[Geoff Bell (actor)|Geoff Bell]] as Mischief John.
* [[Freddie Fox (actor)|Freddie Fox]] as Rubio, a member of the resistance; who is later forced to give away the hideout to Vortigern under torture.
* [[Lorraine Bruce]], [[Eline Powell]] and [[Hermione Corfield]] as the three Syrens.
* [[Millie Brady]] as Princess Catia, Vortigern's daughter, Uther's niece, and Arthur's cousin.
* [[Poppy Delevingne]] as [[Igraine]], Uther's wife.
* [[Tom Wu]] as Kung Fu George, Arthur's Chinese friend and teacher; who owns a martial arts school; who is later knighted as Sir George.
* [[Craig McGinlay]] as Percy, another of Arthur's friends; who is later knighted as [[Percival|Sir Percival]].
* Dick Ochampaugh as the Old Salty Sea Dog, town fisherman.
* [[Michael McElhatton]] as Jack's Eye
* [[Katie McGrath]] as Elsa, Vortigern's wife.
* [[David Beckham]] as Trigger, a guard; who oversees the prisoners that attempt to pull Excalibur from the stone.
* [[Bleu Landau]] as Blue, the son of Back Lack who is taken care by his father and Arthur.
* [[Barney Walsh]] as the teenaged Arthur.
}}

==Production==
===Development===
After 2004's ''[[King Arthur (2004 film)|King Arthur]]'', [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] made multiple attempts to make a new film based on Arthurian legend: one was a remake of ''[[Excalibur (film)|Excalibur]]'' (1981), directed by [[Bryan Singer]], while the other was a film titled ''Arthur & Lancelot'', which would have starred [[Kit Harington]] and [[Joel Kinnaman]] in the title roles respectively.<ref name="Fallofcamelot"/> Warner Bros. worried that neither name was big enough, and attempted to replace both actors with more profitable ones, before eventually dropping the project altogether.<ref name="Fallofcamelot">{{cite news|last=White|first=Adam|title=The fall of Camelot: how Guy Ritchie's King Arthur became a $175 million box office bomb|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/guy-ritchies-king-arthur-became-175-million-box-office-bomb/|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=15 May 2017 |access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>

Warner's next attempt to create a new King Arthur film was an attempt to create an Arthurian [[cinematic universe]] which would span six films, following different characters before their eventual team up.<ref name="Fallofcamelot"/> For this endeavour they hired director [[Guy Ritchie]], who had himself wanted to make a King Arthur movie for several years. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', the script soon became "a strange [[Frankenstein's monster]]-style screenplay" incorporating elements from several of the unproduced Arthurian scripts.<ref name="Fallofcamelot"/>

===Writing===
Bergès-Frisbey's character was originally intended to be [[Guinevere]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Sullivan |first1=Kevin P. |title=The Sword and the Stone-Cold Fox |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=1374 |date=July 31, 2015 |quote=ASTRID BERGES-FRISBEY as Guinevere […] Arthur's true love becomes a forest-dwelling, knife-wielding mage in this retelling.}}</ref><ref name=denofgeek>{{cite web |last=Leane |first=Rob |title=Charlie Hunnam interview – King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/charlie-hunnam-interview-king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword/ |website=[[Den of Geek]] |date=May 16, 2017}}</ref> During production, the connection to Guinevere was dropped and the character became simply "the Mage".{{r|denofgeek}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mottram |first1=James |title=Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Guy Ritchie discuss their roles in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword |url=https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2093139/charlie-hunnam-jude-law-guy-ritchie-discuss-their-roles-king-arthur |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=May 6, 2017 |quote=“There are so many characters,” says Ritchie. “We hardly touch on Merlin, we don’t touch on Guinevere, […]}}</ref> In an interview with [[Den of Geek]], Hunnam ascribes the change to "partly the film, and partly the actor dictating that is {{sic}} was going to be something different, and Guy having the confidence and versatility to just roll with it and realise that what he intended wasn't going to work, and him recognising the value of that being something else."{{r|denofgeek}}

===Casting===
[[File:Charlie Hunnam by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg|thumb|upright|Hunnam at the 2016 [[San Diego Comic-Con]], to promote ''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword''.]]
In August 2014, [[Charlie Hunnam]], Ritchie's choice for the role, was cast to play King Arthur.<ref>{{cite news|title='Sons of Anarchy's Charlie Hunnam Is Guy Ritchie's Choice For King Arthur|url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/sons-of-anarchys-charlie-hunnam-is-guy-ritchies-choice-for-king-arthur-825945/|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> [[Elizabeth Olsen]] was in talks for the female lead,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/charlie-hunnam-to-play-king-arthur-for-guy-ritchie-1201292511/ |title=Charlie Hunnam to Play King Arthur for Guy Ritchie |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |date=August 27, 2014 |work=Variety |last2=Kroll |first2=Justin}}</ref> but on 18 September, [[Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey]] landed the role instead.<ref name=Frisbey>{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='King Arthur' Finds Guinevere With 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Actress|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/king-arthur-finds-guinevere-pirates-733876|access-date=19 September 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=18 September 2014}}</ref> On 14 November, [[Jude Law]] was in talks to play the lead villain role in the film.<ref name=LawVariety>{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Jude Law Circling Villainous Role in Guy Ritchie's King Arthur Film|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/jude-law-knights-of-the-round-table-guy-ritchie-1201338474/|access-date=16 November 2014|work=Variety|date=14 November 2014}}</ref> On 11 February 2015, [[Eric Bana]] was added to the cast to play Uther, the father of King Arthur.<ref name=BanaCast>{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Eric Bana to Play King Arthur's Father in 'Knights of the Round Table' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/eric-bana-knights-of-the-round-table-casting-king-arthurs-father-1201382326/|access-date=15 February 2015|work=Variety|date=11 February 2015}}</ref> [[Mikael Persbrandt]] joined the film on 6 March 2015, to play a villainous role.<ref name=PersbrandtCast>{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=Rebecca|title=Guy Ritchie's 'King Arthur' Adds Swedish Actor Mikael Persbrandt|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/guy-ritchies-king-arthur-adds-779808|access-date=7 March 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=6 March 2015}}</ref> Although there were reports [[Idris Elba]] had been cast, he would confirm, in a [[Reddit AMA]], this was a rumour.<ref>{{cite news|title=Idris Elba Eyes Guy Ritchie's 'King Arthur' at Warner Bros.|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/idris-elba-king-arthur-warner-bros-guy-ritchie-1201264371/|access-date=23 July 2014|work=Variety|date=21 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Freeman|first1=Molly|title=Idris Elba Talks Luke Cage & Debunks 'King Arthur' Casting Rumor|url=https://screenrant.com/idris-elba-luke-cage-king-arthur/|website=Screenrant|date=21 September 2014 |access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>

===Filming===
Filming in [[Windsor Great Park]] was underway in February 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4366390|title=Vans & signs left after filming (C) Phillip Williams : Geograph Britain and Ireland|author=Phillip Williams|publisher=geograph.org.uk|access-date=2 February 2016}}</ref> then later in [[North Wales]] from 2 March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=On the Set for 3/2/15: Matthew McConaughey & Gugu Mbatha-Raw Start 'Free State of Jones', 'Kickboxer' Wraps & More|url=http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-3215-matthew-mcconaughey-gugu-mbatha-raw-start-free-state-of-jonas-kickboxer-wraps-more/|access-date=7 March 2015|publisher=ssninsider.com|date=2 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305164446/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-3215-matthew-mcconaughey-gugu-mbatha-raw-start-free-state-of-jonas-kickboxer-wraps-more/|archive-date=5 March 2015}}</ref> In April 2015, filming took place in [[Snowdonia]], where locations used were [[Tryfan]], [[Nant Gwynant]] near [[Beddgelert]] and [[Capel Curig]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Crump|first=Eryl|title=Filming of Hollywood movie King Arthur set to start in Snowdonia|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/filming-hollywood-movie-king-arthur-9017977|access-date=12 April 2015|publisher=dailypost.co.uk|date=10 April 2015}}</ref> Early in July filming continued in the [[Shieldaig]], [[Loch Torridon]] and [[Applecross]] areas of [[Wester Ross]] in the Scottish Highlands. One day of filming also took place at The [[Quiraing]] on the Isle of [[Skye]]. Filming also took place at [[Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden|Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden]].

==Marketing==
The [[teaser trailer]] for the film was released on 23 July 2016, during the 2016 [[San Diego Comic-Con]].

It was originally planned for an [[IMAX]] release on 22 July 2016, as evident in the Comic-Con trailer,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imax.com/movies/king-arthur-legend-sword|title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword in IMAX|publisher=imax.com|access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref> but was cancelled due to it being postponed and only received non-IMAX presentations.

An extended [[TV spot]] was released on 22 January 2017, and was shown on the 2017 NFC Championship Game on [[Fox Broadcasting Company]] between the [[Atlanta Falcons]] and the [[Green Bay Packers]] and the 2017 AFC Championship Game on [[CBS]] between the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] and the [[New England Patriots]].

The first trailer was released on 20 February 2017. The second trailer was released on 1 April 2017. All in all, Warner Bros. spent $135&nbsp;million on marketing the film.<ref name=opening/>

The film was shown at select [[AMC Theatres]] in a special preview on 27 April 2017, in a promotional event titled "King for a Day". Demand for tickets led AMC to expand the event to 200 theatres.<ref>{{cite news|last1=D'Alessandro|first1=Anthony|title='King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword' Advance Previews In Huge Demand; AMC Ups Theater Count|url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword-amc-theatres-previews-1202073122/|access-date=24 April 2017|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=20 April 2017}}</ref>

==Release==
===Theatrical===
In April 2014, Warner Bros. set the film for a 22 July 2016 release, alongside ''[[Lights Out (2016 film)|Lights Out]]'', but it was then moved by Warner Bros. to 17 February 2017, alongside ''[[Maze Runner: The Death Cure]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/knights-of-the-roundtable-king-arthur-guy-ritchie-sully-lights-out-1201670759/|title=Guy Ritchie's King Arthur Film Gallops To 2017, 'Lights Out' On July 22, 2016: WB Release Date Changes|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=21 December 2015|access-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> Warner Bros. moved the release date to 24 March 2017.<ref name=VarietyReleaseChange>{{cite news|title=Charlie Hunnam's King Arthur Movie Pushed Back to March 2017|last=McNary|first=Dave|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/792723-wb-2017-schedule#/slide/1|publisher=Comingsoon.net|date=7 December 2016|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> The title was changed to ''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'' in July 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warner Bros. Pictures Comic-Con Plans Announced!|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/701673-warner-bros-pictures-comic-con#/slide/1|access-date=12 July 2016|date=11 July 2016}}</ref> In December 2016 the release date was again moved, this time to 12 May 2017, possibly so as not to compete with ''[[CHiPs (film)|CHiPs]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Guy Ritchie's King Arthur Has A New Release Date, And It's Brutal|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1596960/guy-ritchies-king-arthur-has-a-new-release-date-and-its-brutal|access-date=24 April 2017|work=CinemaBlend|date=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/release-dates-king-arthur-annabelle-2-chips/|title=Warner Bros. Shifts King Arthur, CHiPS & Annabelle 2 Release Dates|date=7 December 2016|publisher=screenrant.com|access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref>

===Home media===
''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'' was released on DVD, Blu-ray, [[3D Blu-ray]] and Ultra HD on 8 August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/King-Arthur-Legend-Charlie-Hunnam/dp/B073C37BPY/|title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword|website=Amazon |date=8 August 2017|access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'' grossed $39.2 million in the United States and Canada and $107 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $146.2 million, against a production budget of $175 million.<ref name=BOM /> ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' calculated the film lost Warner Bros. $153.2 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/king-arthur-geostorm-monster-trucks-the-promise-the-great-wall-box-office-losses-1202354934/|title=What Were The Biggest Bombs At The 2017 B.O.? Deadline's Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament|first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro|publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=29 March 2018|access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref>

In North America, the film was released alongside ''[[Snatched (2017 film)|Snatched]]'' and ''[[Lowriders (film)|Lowriders]]'' and was initially projected to gross around $25&nbsp;million from 3,702 theatres during its opening weekend.<ref name="preview">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-movie-projector-king-arthur-20170508-htmlstory.html |title='King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' poised for soft box office opening as 'Guardians' rules |last=Faughnder |first=Ryan |date=9 May 2017 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> It made $1.15 million from Thursday night previews at about 3,200 theatres, but after making just $5.3 million on Friday, weekend projections were lowered to $15 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4291&p=.htm|title='King Arthur' Delivers $1.15M from Thursday Previews, 'Snatched' Takes in $650k|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|date=12 May 2017}}</ref> It ended up debuting to $15.4&nbsp;million, finishing third at the box office. ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' noted that due to the film's $175 million production budget, as well as at least an additional $100 million spent on marketing, the film was destined to be a [[Box-office bomb|box office bomb]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-bomb-king-arthur-limps-14m-debut-behind-statched-1003531|title=Box-Office Bomb: 'King Arthur' Opens to Disastrous $15M Behind 'Snatched'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=18 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> Regarding the cost of the film, the site quoted one finance expert as saying: "Make original IP [intellectual property] for a cost effective price. If it works then spend more if necessary on the sequel. ''King Arthur'' should have been done for $60–80 [million]. Warner Bros. had no reason to spend $175M-plus on this picture."<ref name=opening>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/king-arthur-snatched-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-weekend-box-office-1202091662/ |title='King Arthur's Head Cut Off With $14.7M Opening As 'Snatched' Swims To $17.5M in A 'Guardians'-Ruled Mother's Day Weekend|publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=15 May 2017|access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> Comparing its opening to cost, ''[[IndieWire]]'' called the film's failings "historic".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/05/box-office-king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword-summer-snatched-1201816814/ |title='King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' is a Failure, and Summer Box Office Could Follow |date=14 May 2016 |work=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' noted that the film would likely lose about $150 million.<ref name="losses">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/box-office-king-arthur-could-lose-150m-falling-sword-1003638 |title=Box-Office Meltdown: 'King Arthur' Could Lose $150M After Falling on Its Sword |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=15 May 2017 |access-date=15 May 2017 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In its second weekend the film grossed $7.2 million (a drop of 53.5%), finishing 5th at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-everything-everything-box-office-previews-1202097673/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true |title=Moviegoers Make $40M Pact With 'Alien: Covenant', 2nd Best Debut For Sci-Fi Series |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=22 May 2017}}</ref>

The film debuted at No. 1 in an estimated 29 countries, including Russia, with openings to follow in the United Kingdom, France, South Korea and Australia.<ref>[https://variety.com/2017/film/news/king-arthur-international-box-office-1202426388/ "Box Office: ‘King Arthur’ Stumbles Overseas With $29.1 Million"], Seth Kelly. ''Variety''. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017</ref> Over its opening weekend, it made $29.1 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/king-arthur-movie-falls-on-its-sword-in-opening-weekend-1494786805|title='King Arthur' Movie Falls on Its Sword in Opening Weekend|first=Erich|last=Schwartzel|date=14 May 2017|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>

===Critical response===
On [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 31% based on 279 reviews and an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average rating]] of 4.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'' piles mounds of modern action flash on an age-old tale – and wipes out much of what made it a classic story in the first place."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/king_arthur_legend_of_the_sword|title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score 41 out of 100 based on 45 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword|title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=2 June 2017}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while [[PostTrak]] reporter filmgoers gave it an overall positive score of 78%; 56% of the opening weekend filmgoers were under the age of 35, and 59% were men.<ref name=opening/>

Writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', [[Peter Bradshaw]] gave the film a generally positive review: "Guy Ritchie's cheerfully ridiculous Arthur is a gonzo monarch, a death-metal warrior-king. Ritchie's film is at all times over the top, crashing around its digital landscapes in all manner of berserkness, sometimes whooshing along, sometimes stuck in the odd narrative doldrum. But it is often surprisingly entertaining, and whatever clunkers he has delivered in the past, Ritchie again shows that a film-maker of his craft and energy commands attention, and part of his confidence in reviving King Arthur resides here in being so unselfconscious and unconcerned about the student canon that has gone before."<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=9 May 2017 |title=Review of Guy Ritchie's ''King Arthur'' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/09/king-arthur-the-legend-of-the-sword-review-guy-ritchies-den-of-medieval-dodginess |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref> [[Matt Zoller Seitz]] of [[RogerEbert.com]] gave the film one-and-a-half out of four stars, stating that despite the potential for a revisionist King Arthur story with "[t]he Ritchie sense of style", the overall problem is the film's lack of modulation: "Ritchie keeps rushing us along for two hours, as if to make absolutely certain that we never have time to absorb any character or moment, much less revel in the glorious, cheeky ridiculousness of the whole thing."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Seitz|first1=Matt Zoller|title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Movie Review (2017) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword-2017 |publisher=RogerEbert.com |access-date=14 May 2017|date=12 May 2017}}</ref>

In a pan of the film for the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', [[Michael Phillips (critic)|Michael Phillips]] questioned the long-term longevity of the projected series of six ''Arthur'' films from Ritchie: "I'm no businessman, but plans for a six-film franchise may be optimistic. Optimism is nowhere to be found in Ritchie's movie itself. It is a grim and stupid thing, from one of the world's most successful mediocre filmmakers, and if [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s [[King Lear]] were blogging today, he'd supply the [[blurb]] quote: 'Nothing will come of nothing.'."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-king-arthur-mov-rev-0509-20170511-column.html |title='King Arthur' review: Guy Ritchie's ridiculous tale a far cry from Camelot |last=Phillips |first=Michael |date=9 May 2017 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref> Chris Hartwell of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' expressed disappointment in the film's lackluster box office performance denying a sequel for the introduction of [[Merlin]], stating it would have been more successful as a solo film instead of setting up a franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/king-arthur-legend-sword-was-killed-by-sequel-1003593 |title=How 'King Arthur' Was Killed by a Would-Be Franchise |last=Hartwell |first=Chris |date=14 May 2017 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref>

Alissa Wilkinson of ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' writes that the film is "surprisingly good, and surprisingly political" in relation to the [[Brexit|British withdrawal from the European Union]], and "occasionally, it's even pretty great".<ref>[https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/5/11/15508278/king-arthur-review-charlie-hunnam-guy-ritchie-jude-law "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is surprisingly good, and surprisingly political"], Alissa Wilkinson. Vox.com. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017</ref>

===Accolades===
''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'' was nominated in four categories at the 2017 [[Golden Trailer Awards]]: "Throne" (Open Road Entertainment) for Best Action, "Story" (Wild Card) for both Best Original Score and Best Sound Editing, and "Rules 60" (Wild Card) for Best Fantasy Adventure TV Spot (for a Feature Film).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=12 May 2017 |title=Golden Trailer Awards Nominees: Warner Bros & ''Lego Batman'' Lead Pack |url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/golden-trailer-awards-2017-nominees-full-list-1202091736/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328224454/https://deadline.com/2017/05/golden-trailer-awards-2017-nominees-full-list-1202091736/ |archive-date=28 March 2022 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=6 June 2017 |title=''Wonder Woman'' Wins Top Prize at Golden Trailer Awards |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/awards/golden-trailer-award-winners-wonder-woman-1202456371/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731043153/http://variety.com/2017/film/awards/golden-trailer-award-winners-wonder-woman-1202456371/ |archive-date=31 July 2017 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> At the [[Golden Reel Award (Motion Picture Sound Editors)|Golden Reel Awards]] 2017, the film received a nomination for [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore|Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Music Score]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=18 February 2018 |title=Golden Reel Awards: Oscar Nominees ''Blade Runner 2049'', ''Dunkirk'' Among Sound Editor Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/golden-reel-awards-oscar-nominees-blade-runner-2049-dunkirk-sound-editor-winners-1078570 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219092531/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/golden-reel-awards-oscar-nominees-blade-runner-2049-dunkirk-sound-editor-winners-1078570 |archive-date=19 February 2018 |access-date=31 May 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* {{Official website|http://kingarthurmovie.com/}}
* {{IMDb title|1972591}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=2064030}}
* {{Mojo title|kingarthur2016}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|king_arthur_legend_of_the_sword}}

{{Films based on Arthurian legends}}
{{Guy Ritchie}}
{{Akiva Goldsman}}
{{Joby Harold}}


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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=King Arthur: Legend of the Sword|access_date=2026-03-04}}