Jude Law wore most disgusting scent to play Henry VIII in Firebrand

Jude Law dons the crown (well, floppy hat) for a new and pretty grotesque take on Tudor monarch Henry VIII in upcoming film Firebrand.

The 50-year-old star looks a world away from his usual self in the movie with a thick beard, voluminous costume and leg prosthetic to play the ruler, who suffered with swollen ankles and leg ulcers in his final years.

In turns out he also had a novel way of sharing the disgusting reality of Henry’s ailments with his fellow cast and crew.

Firebrand, based on the novel Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle, focuses on Henry’s final wife Katherine Parr (also styled as Catherine Parr, and played by Alicia Vikander), who survived him.

Discussing his special technique with press including Metro.co.uk at Firebrand’s Cannes Film Festival press conference, Law explained: ‘I read several interesting accounts that at this time you could smell him from three rooms away because his leg was rotting so badly and he hid it with rose oil.

‘So, I thought it would have great impact if I smelled awful.’

The Closer actor revealed that he had worked with a ‘brilliant’ perfumier to come up with a uniquely foul smell to reflect that his leg was hideously infected – which ultimately led to his death in 1547, aged 55.

He added: ‘She somehow managed to come up with this extraordinary variety which was pus, blood, faecal matter and sweat. Initially I used it subtly, I just thought I would use it myself, but when [director] Karim [Aïnouz] got hold of it, he sprayed it [everywhere].’

The Brazilian filmmaker then chimed in: ‘When they left the set to eat I would come it and spray the whole room, every room had a smell and it was incredible – and when Jude walked on set, it was just [awful].’

The film also stars Eddie Marsan, Simon Russell Beale, Sam Riley and Patsy Ferran, and is directed by Karim Aïnouz.

Law also discussed how the Firebrand’s costumes helped him in his portrayal of Henry.

‘The silhouette of Henry VIII is like Father Christmas – you know it immediately. You go, “That’s Henry VIII – he’s square, he’s got the hat.”

‘So the costumes gave an awful lot to work with, especially in volume. It helped a lot with size,’ he added.

Firebrand has sold to Prime Video in the UK, but is yet to receive a release date.

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