Disney is developing a live-action adventure movie titledKnightsthat will be set in the Middle Ages, and the studio has tappedOperation FinalescribeMatt Ortonto write the script, Collider has confirmed.
The story is said to follow a headstrong young woman who joins a knight in his quest to destroy a world-threatening artifact before it falls into the wrong hands.
According to Deadline,Knightsis expected to be a theatrical title rather than a Disney+ release, and Disney’s live-action executivesJessica VirtueandChaz Salembierwill oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
Virtue is a senior staffer at Disney who has worked on theEmma StonemovieCruellaand the live-action remakes ofMulanandThe Little Mermaid, while Salembier has worked on the upcoming Disney+ movieLady and the Tramp.
Disney is developing several projects set during the same Medieval time period, includingRidley Scott’sThe Merlin Sagaas well as aSword in the Stoneremake from directorJuan Carlos FresnadilloandGame of ThronesscribeBryan Cogman. That seems like a lot, quite frankly, and I’d be surprised to seeKnightsleapfrog either of those fellow development projects, given the talent involved and the familiarity of the IP. Having said that, I am personally sick of all things relating to King Arthur and Merlin, and would much rather seeKnightsget made ahead of the others.
Orton, oddly enough, is writing a Battle of Britain movie for Scott to produce and potentially direct, as well as a political thriller titledReason of Statefor Black Bear Pictures. He’s represented by WME, Grandview and The Agency.
Disney will close out its banner 2019 withMaleficent: Mistress of Evilstarring Angelina Jolie, the animated sequelFrozen 2, andJ.J. Abrams' sure-to-be emotionalStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, while the studio’s 2020 slate includesMulanand theDwayne Johnson-Emily BluntmovieJungle Cruise, as well as Marvel’sBlack WidowandThe Eternals. For an explanation of all the characters inThe Eternals,click here.
