Today, 20th Century Fox released an extended clip for Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel. The clip is nearly 5 minutes long and begins with Marguerite de Carrouges standing stoically as servants dress her. As she stares contemplatively out the window, the scene fades to a fantastical arena, where crowds have gathered to watch knight Jean de Carrouges and former squire Jacques Le Gris fight to the death. The clip then shows Carrouges, played by Matt Damon, and Gris, played by Adam Driver, preparing for battle as armor is fixed onto their bodies. Finally, The Last Duel clip ends as the two men ascend their horses and charge towards each other.
The Last Duel Had a Troubled Production
Ridley Scott began shooting The Last Duel in France on February 14. Production halted a month later due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After multiple delays and shifts, The Last Duel finally premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 10, 2021. The film will release on October 15 to a wider audience in theaters before heading to streaming 45 days later.
Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel is Based on a True Story
Written by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Nicole Holofcener, The Last Duel is based on a true story. The film will follow the last legally sanctioned judicial duel to take place in France. The duel is put into motion by Marguerite de Carrouges, who claims that her husband’s friend raped her. Ridley Scott and the writing team adapted the story from the book of the same name, The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager.
The film will see the reuniting of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck on screen as well. Affleck is playing Peter II, Count of Alençon. In addition, Jodie Comer, Harriet Walter, Nathaniel Parker will also be joining the cast. Ridley Scott, who previously worked on historical dramas like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven, finds himself in his comfort zone with The Last Duel.
