Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
Patrick Stewart Played Merlin in The Kid Who Would Be King
Patrick Stewart died at 86, after a long career playing many kinds of authority figures.
In the 2019 family adventure The Kid Who Would Be King, he played an older version of Merlin, the wizard from Arthurian legend.
The film, written and directed by Joe Cornish, follows a boy named Alexander who finds Excalibur in modern times.
Stewart had also appeared in John Boorman’s 1981 film Excalibur, where Nicol Williamson played Merlin.
Williamson’s playful, ironic performance helped shape Stewart’s approach to the role.
Stewart’s Merlin tells Alexander that a person’s character matters more than family background, a message that gives the story its hopeful outlook.
The film lost money, but it remains a family adventure that viewers can stream on Prime Video and Disney+.
Patrick Stewart, who died at 86, played an older Merlin in the 2019 film The Kid Who Would Be King.
The family adventure was written and directed by Joe Cornish.
The film follows a boy who pulls Excalibur from a stone in modern times.
Stewart said his portrayal drew on Nicol Williamson’s Merlin in the 1981 film Excalibur.
The article highlights a speech in which Merlin says the sword chooses by “heart and mind,” not birth or blood.
- Who
- Patrick Stewart played Merlin, alongside Angus Imrie as a younger version of the wizard.
- What
- Stewart appeared in The Kid Who Would Be King, a modern family adventure about Excalibur.
- When
- The film was released in 2019.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Stewart said Williamson’s portrayal of Merlin in Excalibur informed his performance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Patrick Stewart played a supporting role in John Boorman’s film Excalibur.
The Kid Who Would Be King was released, with Stewart playing the older Merlin and Angus Imrie playing a younger version.
Joe Cornish spoke to /Film about Stewart wearing a Led Zeppelin T-shirt in the film.
Patrick Stewart died at the age of 86, according to the article.
- Film
- The Kid Who Would Be King
- Release year
- 2019
- Director and writer
- Joe Cornish
- Older Merlin
- Patrick Stewart
- Younger Merlin
- Angus Imrie
- Earlier Merlin portrayal cited
- Nicol Williamson in 1981’s Excalibur
What people are saying
In this movie with the old and the young Merlin, there is a playful aspect behind all the fury and rage and despair and urgency
There is a lightness ... in 'Excalibur,' Merlin was played by Nicol Williamson and Nicol was a playful character himself. He brought great irony to his performance and a winsome wistfulness about him, and I just stood back and admired and adored.
The sword doesn't care who your parents are. It doesn't choose by birth or blood, but by heart and mind. If your legends say different, then perhaps you must write them anew.