The King’s Man is set to explore the foundation of the Kingsman group during WWI, and while this seems like a lot of fun, there are plenty of eras across British history, and indeed internationally, that would also work well within the franchise.
Global conflicts and significant historical events of course would help define a film if the next point of the Kingsman saga was set during that time period. These eras not only contribute to the look and tone of a potential sequel or prequel but would definitely help to influence the narrative based on what was actually happening at the time.
WWII
If WWI is already being used as a location within the franchise then it stands to reason that one of the best spy organizations in film will also be operating during the Second World War. The conflict likely would have seen them venture deep into enemy territory.
There have been plenty of narratives set during WWII, many of which include elements of espionage. Perhaps Kingsman would approach the era slightly differently, and hopefully grounding the movie with the emotional levity needed for such a heartbreaking period of time.
Victorian
Victorian England is associated with a lot of things, from the Empire itself and the nation’s global influence, to specifically London and stories such as that of the murderous Jack the Ripper. There’s a lot of fertile ground there to weave new narratives.
The idea of the Queensman is an interesting one, a group that existed before that of the Kingsman. Victoria could have ordered the group to carry out a number of dangerous missions, that either led to lower crime on the streets or cemented Britain’s position as a world power.
Tudor
The Tudor period is perhaps one of the most famous eras in England, largely because of the Tudor family at the center of the many controversies and major political decisions. It’s a period of time that came to define the future of the country and one that the Kingsman could get involved with.
The group might not have always been used in a positive way. A story centered on Henry VIII for instance, that sees the organization conflicted on whether to truly serve the monarch or rather the country’s best interests, would take advantage of the global understanding of this ruler.
Future
The future is a period of time that allows Kingsman to really step into the sci-fi genre. It really could take it in any direction, with the conflicts becoming totally fictional as fans get to experience how the organization has evolved since its recent collapse.
Whether it’s a post-apocalyptic or dystopian far future, or a more recent future that allows the creative team to bring a few newer elements in and move the story on at a quicker pace, it would definitely help to freshen up the Kingsman franchise with cool sci-fi gadgets, designs, and storylines.
Medieval
There are two different Medieval eras during English history that have a number of differences. This period of time is defined by the arrival of William the Conquerer in 1066 and would mark a huge change for anyone living in the country at the time, thanks to the Norman invasion.
The Kingsman would be in a difficult situation, either protecting against the attackers or trying to serve the new King the best way that they can. The beginning of the Medieval era is full of story potential, and the Battle of Hastings is a great starting point for this. What would a Medieval gadget even look like?
American Revolution
The British have a huge part to play in the American Revolution, trying to block the nation from their rightful independence through extreme force. The Kingsman and the Statesman might have both played a part here, but where would their moral integrity lead to?
Would they continue to fight for their country, or would the Kingsman begin an operation that supports independence? It’s a fascinating question and one that’s sure to intrigue audiences as these two Secret Services potentially do battle.
The Swinging Sixties
The Swinging Sixties was a booming period for Britain, with The Beatles and flower power taking over. This cultural shift surely influenced the Kingsman, who might have been taken away with a slightly more peaceful approach to their operations.
It would be intriguing to see the way that the group operated during this time period, as political attitudes shifted and self-identity was at the forefront. It’s an era the film franchise could have a lot of fun in, especially with a gig like protecting the world’s biggest band, setting the bar higher for the Kingsman series.
End Of The 20th Century
The end of the 20th Century was in turn both exciting and nerve-wracking. Y2K was a major fear for many, as the world believed that the digital landscape could collapse. With so much uncertainty surrounding computers, there’s easily a spy-based mission to be had there.
The Kingsman might have been the ones to actually prevent the potentially hazardous event from taking place. Alternatively, it could have been the Statesman responsible for this; either way the turn of the Century would combine a historical event with a technology-based adventure for the organizations.
Old West
Perhaps far more applicable to the Statesman than the Kingsman, the Old West is absolutely an era that the franchise could thrive in, especially if the Statesman brand themselves as peace-keeping sheriffs in small-scale adventures.
The comics don’t stray too far from the Kingsman, but a wholly Statesman movie set in a completely different period of time opens up a lot of ideas as to how this could play out. The Western genre currently needs to be revitalized and this might be the way to do so.
King Arthur
While the Camelot era is of course fictional, it’s not without its merits in regards to this film series. After all, the Kingsman have actually named their members after the Knights of the Round Table, which suggests there could be a mythical link there.
It might be fun for the series to explore this side of the mythology, but with a slightly more espionage-esque twist. Nothing has been done quite like that before; perhaps the Knights themselves could be the very first members of the secretive team, protecting Arthur from afar.
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About The Author
George Chrysostomou (990 Articles Published)
Politics graduate, freelance writer and all around film geek. If George isn’t lecturing someone on the history of the MCU, he’s probably ranting about the political consequences of Putin’s latest horse riding trip.