Entertainment

Why the ‘Red, White and Royal Blue’ Movie Has a King Instead of a Queen on August 11, 2023 at 1:30 pm Us Weekly

Published

1 year ago

August 11, 2023

Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry and Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz in Prime Video’s ‘Red, White & Royal Blue.’ Prime Video

Changes are made in every book-to-movie adaptation, and Red, White and Royal Blue is no different. However, director Matthew López was thinking about future generations of viewers when he made one change — swapping a queen for a king.

“Well, there were two reasons. One, I was trying to really differentiate as much as possible our fictional royal family from the actual royal family,” López, who cowrote the film with Ted Malawer, exclusively told Us Weekly.

Amazon Studios’ Red, White and Royal Blue tells the enemies-to-lovers story of the British Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) and Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the first female President of the United States (Uma Thurman). The fictional British royal family is steeped in tradition and King James III (Stephen Fry) makes it clear that he wants Henry to stay in the closet. Casey McQuiston‘s best-selling novel depicted similar circumstances — but with a character called Queen Mary.

López realized early on that he wanted to make the change, revealing they cast the role in fall 2021, one year before Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96. “While Her Majesty was still alive at the time, I also knew that for most of the life of this film, most people will access it while there is a King of England,” the director told Us. “Between King Charles, Prince William, Prince George — for most of our lifetime, there will always be King of England. And so, I wanted to sort of make sure that the film in some ways made sense to people for a hundred years.”

There was one more very simple — and understandable — reason he had to trade the queen for a king. “I had a chance to get Stephen Fry in, and I just couldn’t turn that down. A lot of things went into that decision, and I think the most important one was Stephen Fry wanted to do it. You don’t say no to Stephen Fry,” López said with a chuckle.

Nor could he say no to adapting Red, White and Royal Blue. López read McQuiston’s debut novel shortly after it was published in 2020 at the recommendation of one of his agents. It didn’t take long for the Tony Award winner to connect with the material and determine he wanted to make his feature film directorial debut with RWRB.

Stephen Fry in London in May 2022. Jed Leicester/Shutterstock

“I fell madly in love with it, as most people who read it [do],” López told Us. “I fell madly in love with it — with the characters, the blissfully ridiculous situations that they find themselves in. And I just really wanted it. I can’t explain it other than to say that I just wanted to live in that world a little longer, and I really saw a movie, and so I put my hand up and really lobbied. I more than just put my hand up. I lobbied for the job, to make this film.”

He connected with Alex, the president’s son who has his own political aspirations. Alex is holding a grudge against Henry, and the pair have an altercation at the royal wedding that sends them tumbling into the cake. To do damage control after their “Buttercream Summit” photos go viral, their families and respective handlers force the two boys into a staged “truce” — which becomes all too real after Alex and Henry realize they have a lot more in common than they ever knew.

When López was reading the book, it was Alex that really resonated with him.

“I think it has a lot to do with my connection to Alex as a character. I’m a biracial queer man from the American South. My mom’s white, my dad is Puerto Rican. Alex, his dad is Mexican. And so I think there’s an element of Alex … that I related to in my own way,” López shared. “I think that really was my in. I’d never read a book with a character like Alex at its center, and I’ve never seen a movie with a character like Alex at the center. I think there was something I really wanted to sort of help make sure that came into the world as intact as possible.”

Red, White and Royal Blue debuts on Amazon Prime Friday, August 11.

Changes are made in every book-to-movie adaptation, and Red, White and Royal Blue is no different. However, director Matthew López was thinking about future generations of viewers when he made one change — swapping a queen for a king. “Well, there were two reasons. One, I was trying to really differentiate as much as possible

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Entertainment

Kim Breaks Her Silence After Kanye’s Controversial Grammys

Published

23 hours ago

February 6, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Two days after Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s headline-grabbing appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Kim Kardashian has subtly responded by focusing on her family and meaningful causes. The reality TV star and entrepreneur took to Instagram to share her experience at the @15PercentPledge Annual Gala, effectively ignoring her ex-husband’s controversial antics.

Kardashian, 44, made a fashion statement of her own in a black, backless, full-length dress, presenting a stark contrast to Censori’s revealing Grammy outfit. In her post, she highlighted the organization’s support for Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, demonstrating her commitment to important social causes.

While Kardashian didn’t directly address the Grammy incident, her actions spoke volumes. On the day of the awards show, she chose to spend quality time with her children. She took her 11-year-old daughter North to see the stage production of “Wicked” at the Hollywood Pantages Theater and later went to the movies with her 9-year-old son Saint. This deliberate focus on her family suggests Kardashian’s priority is shielding her children from the ongoing controversy surrounding their father.

Sources close to Kardashian reveal that she is “disgusted and alarmed” by West’s recent behavior, particularly concerning its potential impact on their children. The mother of four is reportedly worried about the example being set for North, who “idolizes her dad,” and is concerned about potential comments from their son Saint’s friends[3].

Kardashian’s approach to co-parenting amid the controversy has been cautious and protective. She has reportedly set strict rules for Censori’s interactions with her children, including bans on nudity and limitations on social media access. These guidelines aim to maintain consistency in the children’s routines and upbringing, regardless of which parent they are with.

As the situation continues to unfold, Kardashian remains focused on her children’s best interests, navigating the challenges of co-parenting in the public eye with grace and determination. Her recent actions serve as a testament to her commitment to her family, even in the face of ongoing controversy and media scrutiny.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

Biden Signs with Top Talent Agency CAA

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Joe Biden has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a major Hollywood talent agency, just two weeks after leaving the White House. This move marks a reunion for Biden with CAA, which previously represented him from 2017 to 2020.

Key Details

CAA co-chairman Richard Lovett praised Biden, calling him “one of America’s most respected and influential voices in national and global affairs”. Lovett also highlighted Biden’s “lifelong commitment to public service” as one of “unity, optimism, dignity, and possibility”.

During his previous stint with CAA, Biden achieved several notable accomplishments:

Published his memoir “Promise Me, Dad,” which became a New York Times bestseller
Launched the “American Promise” book tour, selling over 85,000 tickets nationwide
The book tour is believed to have inspired his eventual run for the presidency

Potential Opportunities

At 82 years old, Biden has kept a relatively low profile regarding his post-presidency plans. However, his signing with CAA suggests he may be exploring various opportunities, such as:

Public speaking engagements
Writing projects
Media appearances

CAA’s Star-Studded Roster

CAA represents a wide range of high-profile clients, including:

Hollywood actors like Meryl Streep
Lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart
Sports stars such as Shohei Ohtani

Notably, CAA also represents former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground.

Looking Ahead

While Biden’s specific plans remain unclear, he has previously stated, “I’m not going to be out of sight or out of mind”. His partnership with CAA may provide a platform for him to continue influencing national and global affairs, as well as sharing his experiences and insights from his long career in public service.

As Biden joins the ranks of former presidents exploring post-White House opportunities, his association with CAA positions him to potentially engage in various projects that could shape his legacy and contribute to public discourse on important issues.

Entertainment

What Film Producers Really Do

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

When the credits roll and audiences marvel at a spectacular film, few realize the incredible journey that brought that story to life. At the heart of this journey is the film producer – a professional who is part creative visionary, part business strategist, and entirely passionate about storytelling.

Film producers are essentially the architects of cinema, transforming a simple idea into a fully realized motion picture. Their work begins long before actors step in front of cameras, starting with discovering compelling stories and securing the rights to bring them to screen. Imagine a producer as a talent scout with an incredible eye for potential, constantly searching for narratives that could captivate global audiences.

The producer’s role is remarkably complex and multifaceted. They’re responsible for assembling the creative team, which means finding the perfect director, negotiating with screenwriters, and making critical casting decisions. But their job isn’t just about creative choices – they’re also financial strategists who must secure funding, manage budgets, and ensure the project remains economically viable.

During actual film production, producers become problem-solvers extraordinaire. They navigate countless challenges, from unexpected location issues to creative disagreements, always keeping the project moving forward. They’re the bridge between artistic vision and practical execution, making sure the director’s creative goals align with financial realities.

Post-production is another critical phase where producers shine. They oversee editing, potentially request additional scenes, and prepare the film for distribution. Their networking skills become crucial as they negotiate with studios, potential distributors, and international markets to ensure the film reaches its intended audience.

What makes a great producer isn’t just technical skill, but a unique blend of creativity, business acumen, and relentless passion. They must understand storytelling deeply while simultaneously managing complex logistical and financial challenges. It’s a role that requires intuition, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to bringing remarkable stories to life.

While actors and directors often receive the spotlight, film producers are the true unsung heroes of cinema. They are the magical professionals who transform abstract ideas into the movies we love, cherish, and remember. Their work is a delicate dance of creativity, strategy, and pure cinematic magic.