(Updated 10/11/2023)
As popular as sexy spies are at the movies, they're even more popular in books. Henry Cavill's new movie ARGYLLE takes advantage of that by imagining a reclusive author (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) who channels desires and frustrations into the glamorously violent escapades of Secret Agent Argylle (played by Henry Cavill with a haircut we will discuss shortly).
When stories featuring Argylle seem to predict international intelligence incidents in the real world, the author is pulled into a high-stakes adventure that is as dangerous as anything she ever wrote. Luckily, she's got her cat with her. Check out the first full ARGYLLE trailer below!
When and Where Can We See Argylle?
Universal Pictures will release ARGYLLE in movie theatres on February 2, 2024.
Check Out the First Argylle Trailer
This trailer sets up the basic scenario — a mystery author's books somehow predict real events — while showing off how Matthew Vaughn's established style works in the context of a wry, hard-hitting espionage action movie.
We do have a lot of questions, though! Foremost, where is the line between reality and fantasy? Is the author envisioning the Argylle character (played by Henry Cavill) in the real world when Sam Rockwell's very slightly more realistic character is taking action? Or is there a real parallel world thing going on?
Argylle Comes From the Filmmaker Behind Kingsman
Ever since his debut feature, LAYER CAKE (which was also a big early movie for Daniel Craig), filmmaker Matthew Vaughn has used modern camera work and editing to blend action and comedy with extreme violence. The KINGSMAN and KICK-ASS series both go further into serious violence than other movies of their kind.
So where will ARGYLLE fall on that spectrum? The trailer sells a slightly more restrained movie, but there's a lot we don't know yet.
What's Up With Henry Cavill's Hair in Argylle?
Yes, what is up there? (Besides, well, the hair.) Honestly we don't have an answer here. We know you're asking the question and we wonder the same thing.
Actually, we do have a bit of info. We know that ARGYLLE is inspired in part by action movies of the 1980s and early '90s, like DIE HARD and LETHAL WEAPON. So the agent's exaggerated flattop haircut is meant, in part, to be an homage to heroes of those movies.
Who's in the Argylle Cast?
Actors clearly like working with Matthew Vaughn and so, as is expected with one of his movies, the director has roped in a notable cast.
As mentioned, Bryce Dallas Howard plays author Ellie Conway, and Henry Cavill plays her creation, Special Agent Argylle. Sam Rockwell is Aiden, the seemingly real-life intelligence agent who pulls Ellie into a surprising operation. Oh, and there's Chip, playing Ellie's cat Alfie. Fun fact: Chip is model Claudia Schiffer's cat; she's married to Matthew Vaughn.
In addition, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson all have roles. So does Dua Lipa, who will also provide music for the movie.
Argylle Is a Much-Anticipated Reunion Between Vaughn and Cavill
Made before Vaughn was the "name" he is now, the movie STARDUST teamed the director and Henry Cavill — who was also in the days before fame. The two have wanted to work together again for a long time. Covid turned out to be the event that made it happen.
"We tried [to work together] on a few occasions," Vaughn told THR, "but his schedule, or various reasons, stopped it. So I rang him up on ARGYLLE. The good thing was that because of Covid, it was the first time ever that actors were suddenly all available. (Laughs.) Everyone was free! You didn’t have to go through the hoops of scheduling and availability. It was like, “Hey, do you want to do a film? Do you like it? Let’s go make it.”
In a different THR interview, Vaughn said "I needed someone who was born to play Bond — which Henry is — and then nick him before Bond did… He plays a larger-than-life action hero with a wink."
ARGYLLE opens on February 2.
All images courtesy of Universal Pictures.