While it’s been touted as something of a face-off between two great young queens of Hollywood— Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie—in Focus Features upcoming period drama, “Mary Queen Of Scots” the two actresses only met on set once. It didn’t quite go as planned.
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“We were blubbering like idiots,” Ronan told EW earlier this year. “We just held each other for ages, we wouldn’t let go. We were like” — [mimicks sobbing] — “‘Huohooouuughh.’” She laughed. “I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
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“Mary Queen of Scots” centers on Mary Stuart’s (Ronan) attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England (Robbie), and then her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution. Here’s the official synopsis:
“Mary Queen of Scots” explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart (Ronan). Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I (Robbie). Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.
‘Mary Queen Of Scots’ Trailer: Saoirse Ronan & Margot Robbie Fight For The Crown
Directed by Josie Rourke (artistic director of the UK theater, The Donmar Warehouse), “Mary Queen Of Scots” was written by Beau Willimon (“The Ides of March,” “House of Cards”) and is based on Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy.
The film also stars Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, Gemma Chan, Martin Compston, Ismael Cordova, Brendan Coyle, Ian Hart, Adrian Lester, James McArdle, David Tennant, and Guy Pearce. “Mary Queen of Scots” opens December 7, but will have its world premiere November 15 at the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles first. Watch the new trailer below.
In a history ruled by kings, there was a moment when two queens wrote the future. Watch the new trailer for #MaryQueenofScots, in cinemas January. pic.twitter.com/9xRNotHjq8
— Universal PicturesUK (@universaluk) October 4, 2018