(L to R) Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, and John Cena in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.
Given that he’s directed three movies in the ‘Kingsman’ series (the most recent was 2021 prequel ‘The King’s Man’), you might think that Matthew Vaughn had had enough of espionage.
But here he is, back on the spy beat with ‘Argylle’, which has a first trailer online and, just like his previous movies, offers a fresh twist on the genre.
In this case, it’s that the world of the spies from the film is the creation of nervy novelist. Or so she thinks…
What’s the story of ‘Argylle’?
Bryce Dallas Howard is Elly Conway in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.
Bryce Dallas Howard plays is Elly Conway, the reclusive author of a series of best-selling espionage novels, whose idea of bliss is a night at home with her computer and her cat, Alfie.
But when the plots of Elly’s fictional books — which center on secret agent Argylle (Henry Cavill) and his mission to unravel a global spy syndicate — begin to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, quiet evenings at home become a thing of the past.
Accompanied by Aiden (Sam Rockwell), a cat-allergic spy, Elly (carrying Alfie in her backpack) races across the world to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between Elly’s fictional world and her real one begins to blur.
It’s an interesting take on the idea, since the movie adapts Ellie Conway’s book and has a script from Jason Fuchs.
Who else is in ‘Argylle’?
Samuel L. Jackson in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.
Vaughn has gathered quite the cast for his latest spy caper, including John Cena, Ariana DeBose, Dua Lipa, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Sofia Boutella, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Alfie the cat is played by Chip, the real-life feline of supermodel Claudia Vaughn (née Schiffer).
This certainly looks like it could be a lot of fun –– cat madness! John Cena plucking Dua Lipa off a bike! Bryan Cranston as a villain! –– and hopefully it’ll be as entertaining as Vaughn’s ‘Kingsman’ efforts.
Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The King’s Man’
Vaughn on Bryce Dallas Howard
Director Matthew Vaughn with Chip the cat (playing Alfie) on the set of ‘Argylle.’
Howard plays the novelist thrown into a world she believed fictional, and the actor was the only person Vaughn thought could bring Elly to life.
Here’s what he told Empire:
“She was the first person to ever audition for ‘Stardust’, and she did an incredible job. And when Jason and I did the second draft of this, I said, ‘There’s not many people who could pull this off.’ I remembered Bryce had told me about her mother being an author, and that stuck with me. I knew she’d understand how to play an author without being a cliche.”
Vaughn talks Sam Rockwell
(L to R) Sam Rockwell as Aiden and Bryce Dallas Howard is Elly Conway in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.
One of the other central figures in the story is Aiden, who helps Elly out. Rockwell, according to the director, was an unexpected choice, but an ideal one.
Here’s Vaughn’s thoughts on that:
“I think people are going to be surprised to see what Sam’s done. Ian Fleming would never cast Sam Rockwell as a spy, but he took to the action stuff like a fish to the frying pan.”
‘Argylle’ will be in theaters on February 2nd next year and will be on Apple TV+ after that.
(L to R) Dua Lipa and Henry Cavill in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.
Other Movies Directed by Matthew Vaughn:
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