BBC Films' 'Bill' is the first cinematic outing for the cast of the hit UK TV series, 'Horrible Histories'.
William Shakespeare has had a fairly difficult transition to the silver screen. Sure, his plays have been made into great film adaptations, but whenever the character is portrayed in movies, things seem to go a bit wrong. Thankfully, this new look at the life of the Great Bard is being made by the comedy troupe behind the BBC's television series 'Horrible Histories' and 'Yonderland'.
Mathew Baynton and Martha Howe-Douglas in 'Bill'
The comedy group have often been hailed as a modern Monty Python, yet more child-friendly. And now, after two celebrated television series, the cast have been unleashed in their first feature film from BBC Films. Filming in iconic UK locations around Yorkshire, the cast and crew shot in York Minster, Skipton Castle, Bolton Castle, Selby Abbey, as well as Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
More: Happy Birthday Shakespeare, Here's Five Unlikely Adaptations Of His Famous Works
After making the comical, yet historically accurate series 'Horrible Histories' (based on the children's educational book series of the same name by writer Terry Deary), the group have written this original story set during the mysterious and elusive 'lost years' of Shakespeare. The original story tells of Shakespeare's rise from obscurity into the world famous writer we all know today.
Watch The Trailer For 'Bill' Here:
'Bill' follows The Bard as he moves to London from his native town of Stratford-upon-Avon to the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Here, he uncovers a plot to kill the Queen, while desperately trying to write and organise a play that will entertain her. The Horrible Histories group continue their long-running tradition of having a small cast that play a variety of different characters throughout the film - only bolstering the the obvious and aforementioned Monty Python comparisons. Yet aside from the normal cast, an announcement at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival revealed that 'Homeland' star Damian Lewis would be making an appearance in a small supporting role.
More: 'Homeland' Star Damian Lewis Receives O.B.E. At Buckingham Palace
'Bill' will be making its UK premiere in theatres on 20th February, 2014.
More: Benedict Cumberbatch Will Star In Second BBC Shakespeare Series
Ben Willbond, Jim Howick and Simon Farnaby in 'Bill'
Mathew Baynton as Bill Shakespeare in 'Bill'
Simon Farnaby ib 'Bill'
Helen McCrory as Queen Elizabeth 1st in 'Bill'
Gertrude Bell was a formidably intelligent British woman from the late 19th century whose travels...
John le Carre's novel is adapted with plenty of inventive style into a remarkably personal...
The Silent Storm which is set in the idyllic moorlands of the Scottish Islands, post...
Professor (Perry) Makepiece and his partner Gail are enjoying an evening on in the bar...
A young and ambitious playwright in the time of Queen Elizabeth the 1st makes the...
The stars of the upcoming adaptation of 'Romeo and Juliet' Douglas Booth, Hailee Steinfeld, Ed...
Romeo and Juliet are two young lovers whose lives together cannot escape their inevitable tragic...
The iconic 1970s British TV series gets the big screen treatment from crime-drama aficionado Nick...
Cockney geezers of the world rejoice as the big screen remake of the seventies police...
From the director of Pineapple Express comes a new fantasy comedy film 'Your Highness' from...
This summer sees the eagerly awaited big screen debut of 14 year old special agent...