Claes Bang to Play ‘William Tell’ in Nick Hamm Period Action Film

Claes Bang has signed on to star in Nick Hamm’s period action film William Tell, playing the legendary Swiss marksman.

The Danish actor, star of Ruben Östlund’s 2017 Cannes Palme d’Or winner The Square, Sharon Horgan’s Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters and the baddie in Robert Eggers’ The Northman, will be joined by an ensemble cast, including Connor Swindells (Barbie), Ellie Bamber (Willow), Golshifteh Farahani (Extraction), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid), Rafe Spall (The Big Short), Emily Beecham (Little Joe), Jonathan Pryce (Game of Thrones, The Two Popes) and Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Sexy Beast).

Hamm adapted William Tell from Friedrich Schiller’s famous play, set in the 14th Century, which follows a peaceful hunter who picks up his crossbow to fight tyranny, in the form of a corrupt Austrian King. In the play’s most famous scene, Tell is forced by authorities to shoot an apple from the head of his own son.

“Tell’s story has a relevance and immediacy that is strikingly contemporary,” said Hamm. “The Apple Scene in particular has gripped the world’s imagination for hundreds of years and yet has never been dramatized in modern cinema. As a filmmaker, I couldn’t ask for a more exceptional cast to bring this story to life.”

Hamm’s Free Turn Entertainment and Tempo Production are producing William Tell together with Groenlandia, in association with DNeg Films. Producers are Piers Tempest and Marie-Christine Jaeger-Firmenich. Jon Hamm, David Nichols and Francesco Marras are executive producing. The film is currently shooting in Italy.

Beta Cinema is handling worldwide sales with WME Independent representing domestic rights. The project will be presented to buyers at the American Film Market in Los Angeles next week.

“The story of Tell has resonated throughout the ages; the combination of politics, intrigue and action set against the stunning mountain scenery lends itself incredibly well to cinema,” said Tempest.

Added Jaeger-Firmenich: “The legend of William Tell represents the values of freedom and independence to so many in my home country of Switzerland. I am therefore honored and delighted to have the opportunity to share this story with audiences around the world.”

Hamm’s directorial credits include the 2018 crime comedy Driven starring Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace and Judy Greer, the Netflix series White Lines and, most recently, the family drama Gigi & Nate (2022) with Charlie Rowe, Marcia Gay Harden and Jim Belushi.

The film’s supporting cast includes Solly McLeod (The Dead Don’t Hurt), Amar Chadha-Patel (Willow), Sam Keeley (The English Game), Jake Dunn (The Ballad of Renegade Nell) and Tobias Jowett.