Edwin Thomas [left] and Rupert Everett star in the film | Photo: The Happy Prince
The trailer has been revealed for The Happy Prince, the Rupert Everett-starring-and-directed movie about the last days of Oscar Wilde.
Everett has previously played Wilde on stage in David Hare’s play The Judas Kiss.
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The Happy Prince, which has so far scored strong reviews, also stars Colin Firth, Colin Morgan and Edwin Thomas.
Emily Watson plays Everett’s wife, Constance Lloyd.
The film’s plot sees father-of-two Wilde revisiting his past on his deathbed. The literary figure died of meningitis in 1900 at the age of 46.
‘I’m ready to return to life’
In the trailer, Everett as Wilde can be heard saying: ‘For two years I have lain on hard boards, knelt on cold stone, dined on shame. I’m ready to return to life.’
Oscar Wilde is of course one of the most iconic LGBTI writers in history.
Famed for works such as The Picture Of Dorian Gray, he was imprisoned from 1895-97 after being convicted of sodomy, and was sentenced to hard labor.
The Happy Prince premiered on 28 March as part of BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival. It will be released in the UK on 15 June. A US release date has yet to be announced.
Everett is one of the world’s most famous openly gay actors. He’s appeared in blockbuster movies such as The Next Best Thing opposite Madonna.
Another of his highest profile roles was in My Best Friend’s Wedding opposite Julia Roberts.
His other film credits include St. Trinian’s, Stardust, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shakespeare In Love.
