Guy Ritchie Developing Potential Six Film KING ARTHUR Franchise

In a cinematic landscape that seems somewhat dominated by the term “trilogy” Guy Ritchie is looking to do them one better. Or perhaps we should say three better. The Sherlock Holmes director is currently developing a series of films based on the classic legends of King Arthur that conceivably stretch out to a full six films.

Deadline is reporting that Ritchie is working with screenwriter Joby Harold who has written would could be just the first film in a six film cycle.

Six films may seem excessive but remember that Thomas Mallory’s 15th century work Le Morte d’Arthur which serves as the basis of most of the Arthurian legend was divided into eight books. I would not be surprised if Harold’s screenplay structure owes something to Mallory.

A few years previously, Ritchie had been developing a King Arthur with Trainspotting scripter John Hodge but that attempt died after it looked as if a similar project from director David Dobkin was going to beat it into production. Ultimately the Dobkin version never happened either due to budgetary concerns.

Ritchie is currently filming his The Man From U.N.C.L.E. big screen remake with Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander and Hugh Grant for release late this year. I would expect when he starts the PR rounds for that film we will hear more about this project.