The Enthralling Story Behind the Kingsman Prequel - Unveiling the Long-Awaited Third Movie: Insights by Matthew Vaughn

Summary

Initially conceived as a commemorative TV series marking the World War I anniversary, The King's Man was the brainchild of director Matthew Vaughn. Drawing inspiration from the profound speech on the establishment of the Kingsman organization, whose mission was to safeguard against future conflicts.

The decision to make The King's Man a prequel was driven by the notion that a prequel should initiate a unique narrative trajectory. The demise of Conrad acted as the catalyst for the inception of Kingsman, resulting in a comparatively grave first half and a more lighthearted conclusion. The potential triumph of The King's Man as a television series is apparent, considering its significant streaming viewership and positive reception from the general public, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. This signifies that the original concept held promise as a successful approach.

The King’s Man director Matthew Vaughn has clarified the reason behind making the prequel movie before Kingsman 3. The King’s Man serves as a prequel to both Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) and tells the story of the formation of the Kingsman organization during World War I. Originally planned for a 2019 release, the movie was delayed multiple times due to Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a panel at New York Comic Con, Vaughn revealed that his initial idea was to create a television series commemorating World War I. The inspiration for the prequel came from a speech in the first movie about wealthy aristocrats losing their children and establishing the Kingsman agency to prevent future wars. Here are his comments:

The King’s Man initially intended to be a TV series, exploring the backdrop of World War I and its global impact. One aspect I particularly admire is a speech in the movie that delves into the origins of the Kingsman organization. It centers around wealthy aristocrats who, after losing their own children during the war, establish the Kingsman and allocate funds to an agency ensuring the prevention of future conflicts. This intriguing concept sheds light on the importance of studying history and its valuable lessons. I aimed to create a narrative that would encourage people to research these historical events, to better understand the past mistakes we've made and strive not to repeat them.

In crafting a prequel, like with Bond or Superman, it's crucial to begin their journeys at a different starting point rather than showcasing 007 or Superman's most iconic moments from the get-go. For Kingsman, I firmly believed that the death of Conrad served as the birth of the organization. Hence, the first half of the narrative carries a more serious tone, gradually transitioning to a lighter atmosphere by the end as we progress towards the ultimate goal.

Would The King’s Man Have Been More Successful As A TV Series?

With both the initial two Kingsman movies raking in a staggering $400 million globally, expectations for Vaughn's prequel were sky-high upon its announcement. However, after a notably prolonged series of postponements, the movie eventually hit theaters to a rather divided response. Regrettably, it failed to generate even a fraction of the box office earnings achieved by its predecessors.

The King’s Man’s underwhelming performance can be attributed to various factors, including the timing of its release and limited theatrical window before its availability for streaming. Despite this, the prequel did not meet the high standards set by the previous movies in the franchise. However, The King’s Man saw strong viewership numbers on streaming platforms and received a warmer response from general audiences compared to professional critics.

Considering the success of Vaughn’s prequel on streaming platforms, it is highly likely that his initial idea of developing The King’s Man as a television series would have been a more successful approach. This would have allowed for the continuation of the franchise's big-screen adventures with Taron Egerton's popular character Gary "Eggsy" Unwin and the modern-day Kingsman agency. With Vaughn's plans to direct Kingsman 3, it will be interesting to see if bringing the story back to the present will reinvigorate the franchise.