Netflix's Potential 'A Knight’s Tale' Sequel Plans Revealed by Screenwriter Without Heath Ledger

Netflix Could Have Made A Knight s Tale Sequel Without Heath Ledger Screenwriter Says

Heath Ledger in ‘A Knight’s Tale.’ Cover Images

A Knight’s Tale was almost followed by a sequel on Netflix, but without the late Heath Ledger — as revealed by screenwriter Brian Helgeland. According to Helgeland, when they completed A Knight’s Tale, they were already considering a sequel as a pirate film. However, Sony was not interested in pursuing the project.

In the 2001 film, Ledger played William Thatcher, a peasant in 14th-century Europe with a dream of becoming a Knight. He pretends to be a knight to compete in tournaments and keeps winning until his true identity is revealed. William is then arrested but later discovered to be of noble birth, allowing him to finish the tournament as the victorious champion.

According to Helgeland, the sequel was supposed to focus on Count Adhemar (played by Rufus Sewell), William's rival, as he kidnaps Jocelyn (portrayed by Shannyn Sossamon), William's love interest.

Helgeland explained that in the movie, the characters become galley slaves after their boat is taken over by pirates. There is a prisoner onboard with a treasure map tattooed on his back, but he constantly gets punished for misbehaving. To protect the map from being erased, the men decide to take turns receiving the floggings meant for the prisoner.

Netflix Could Have Made A Knight s Tale Sequel Without Heath Ledger Screenwriter Says

Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany in ‘A Knight’s Tale.’ Cover Images

A second idea would follow William’s daughter, as pitched by Paul Bettany, who played Geoffrey Chaucer in the movie.

"The guys initially thought that William had died in a war, but in reality, he has a teenage daughter who has a strong desire to joust. Unfortunately, she is not allowed to participate in such activities because of her gender," shared Helgeland. "Determined to pursue her passion, she seeks out the group and convinces them to train her in secret. To blend in, she cuts her hair short and alters her voice to sound more masculine."

After presenting the revised concept, Helgeland once again approached Sony. "It appeared that they were intrigued by the idea and were considering collaborating with Netflix for its production," he remembered.

It is not certain if Bettany's sequel was suggested after Ledger's death. Ledger, an Australian actor, passed away at the age of 28 in January 2002 due to an accidental overdose of various drugs, as indicated by a toxicology report.

Netflix Could Have Made A Knight s Tale Sequel Without Heath Ledger Screenwriter Says

Heath Ledger in ‘A Knight’s Tale.’ Cover Images

Whether or not Ledger was set to be involved in any capacity, things still went awry.

He mentioned that Netflix tried out the sequel concept using their algorithms, but the results showed that it wouldn't do well. He also noted how surprisingly popular "A Knight's Tale" has become over the years.

Editor's P/S:

The potential "A Knight's Tale" sequel with Heath Ledger as Count Adhemar is a tantalizing concept that fans of the original film would have undoubtedly relished. The idea of Ledger's enigmatic character embarking on a swashbuckling adventure as a pirate would have been a fitting continuation of his captivating performance. It's a shame that Sony's lack of interest prevented this sequel from materializing.

However, the alternative sequel concept pitched by Paul Bettany, featuring William's daughter as a disguised jouster, is equally intriguing. The notion of a female character breaking gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport would have been a refreshing and empowering addition to the story. It's unfortunate that Netflix's algorithm ultimately deemed the sequel concept unlikely to succeed, but it's a testament to the enduring popularity of "A Knight's Tale" that it continues to inspire creative ideas and fan enthusiasm.