Jude Law created a scented perfume of sweat and poop to smell like Henry VIII in “Firebrand”

Jude Law has outdone himself when it comes to diving into a role. The talented actor has taken his acting endeavor to a new level by creating, together with the help of a perfumer, a Bad smell mix consisting of “blood, faecal matter and sweat” to play the infamous King Henry VIII in the historical film ‘Firebrand’, presented at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

During the film’s press conference, which took place at the Palais a day before its release, Law revealed:

I’ve read several stories that said you could smell Henry VIII from three rooms away. His leg was rotting. He tried to cover it up with rose oil. I thought he’d be shocked if he really smelled.”

Fortunately, the actor decided not to get drunk on perfume at the screening of “Burning Ember” on the Croisette.

Law explained that he consulted a perfume specialist to create a custom blend of scents.

It makes wonderful scents, but it also has the ability to produce horrible smells. Somehow, he concocted this amazing blend of blood, fecal matter, and sweat.”

Despite playing a cruel character, Law has fond memories of his time on set alongside Alicia Vikander, who plays the king’s sixth and last wife.

It can feel really twisted because we obviously put ourselves in awful situations on screen,” Law said, “but what I remember most is that we laughed a lot.

The director of the film, Karim Aïnouz, still shakes his head at the memory the ugly concoction that has permeated the entire production.

When Jude walked on set,” she commented, “it was just awful.”

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When is ‘Firebrand’ coming out?

From the UK comes a useful nursery rhyme that children learn at school to remember the order of Henry VIII’s six wives: “Divorced, Headless, Dead. Divorced, Headless, Lived”. However, in Karim Aïnouz’s highly anticipated ‘Firebrand’, she is the latest wife of the celebrated Tudor king, Katherine Parr, to finally take center stage.

Those who have not survived are the ones who have impressed us the most,” shared the talented Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, who plays the last wife next to the ailing monarch played by Jude Law. When I read the script, I immediately thought: “ Hey, isn’t it interesting that most people know more about other wives? It almost seems like people are drawn to macabre stories.”

The intelligent and inquisitive Katherine Parr published a series of religious texts starting in 1545. However, as detailed in “Firebrand”, her quest for knowledge and passion for debating nearly cost her her life when she was accused of heresy and was on the ‘edge of execution. However, Aïnouz has approached this story in a particular way, with a revisionist and modern approach.

It’s about having the artistic freedom to tell a strong story and surprise the audience,” explained Vikander.

‘Firebrand’ is scheduled for release on December 22, 2023 in theaters, right in the middle of awards season. Moviegoers and history buffs alike are eager to dive into this historical drama that promises a unique and captivating insight into the last days of the enigmatic King Henry VIII.

The combination of Jude Law’s commitment to creating an impactful perfume and Alicia Vikander’s performance as Katherine Parr, a fascinating but often overlooked historical figure, is sure to leave an indelible mark on the film industry.