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The King's Man

The King's Man is a 2021 action spy film directed by Matthew Vaughn and set as a prequel to the earlier Kingsman films.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The King's Man is a 2021 action spy film directed by Matthew Vaughn and set as a prequel to the earlier Kingsman films. It follows the origins of the Kingsman intelligence agency during the early 20th century, amid political violence and the build-up to World War I.

Plot

The film is set during the early 20th century and follows Orlando Oxford as he works to stop a shadow network and prevent widespread war. The story provides an origin narrative for the Kingsman organisation.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance.

Production and release

The King's Man was directed by Matthew Vaughn and released by 20th Century Studios in December 2021 after several delays from its earlier planned 2019 release.

Franchise background

The film is the third theatrical entry in the Kingsman series and is based on the comic book *The Secret Service* by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons.

Key facts

  • The King's Man is a prequel to the earlier Kingsman films.
  • The story follows the founding of the Kingsman agency in the early 20th century.
  • The film was released in theatres on December 22, 2021.
  • Ralph Fiennes leads an ensemble cast as Orlando Oxford.

Frequently asked questions

Is The King's Man a sequel or a prequel?
It is a prequel to *Kingsman: The Secret Service* and *Kingsman: The Golden Circle*.
Who directed The King's Man?
Matthew Vaughn directed the film.
What is The King's Man about?
It follows the origins of the Kingsman agency as Orlando Oxford tries to stop a conspiracy that could trigger a devastating war.
When was The King's Man released?
It was released in theatres on December 22, 2021.
What comic is it based on?
It is based on *The Secret Service* by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King's_Man
    Supports: Cast, premise, franchise position, and plot overview.
  2. 20th Century Studios — https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/the-kings-man
    Supports: Official release date, runtime, genre, rating, and synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6856242/
    Supports: Basic film identification, plot premise, and release year.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-kings-man
    Supports: Release timing, rating, cast, director, and summary of plot context.