The Unique Story of Underdogs and the Meaning Behind It
In the year 2020, as the entire world collectively “ground to a halt,” renowned director Matthew Vaughn had an unforgettable time with his family when he chose to bring his daughters to a series of films for entertainment. Vaughn’s daughters had a surprising encounter with the classic thriller film released in 1959 by director Alfred Hitchcock, “North by Northwest.” The film revolves around an ordinary man who accidentally gets caught up in a thrilling adventure involving spies. “And I felt I needed to create a film like that for my daughters,” Vaughn reflected.
At the same time, a novel titled “Argylle” by author Elly Conway was sent to Vaughn, focusing on the adventure of a super spy. Combining this with the idea of his daughters, he decided to create a “more family-friendly” film than previous works. “Argylle” was written as a novel, while “the spy” was notably missing from Vaughn’s vocabulary. Instead, he developed a script that was “reminiscent of the classic spy genre” where the character Elly Conway was portrayed by Bryce Dallas Howard (from the Jurassic World series). Elly is a successful author who becomes unexpectedly entangled in the thrilling adventures of the fictional spy Argylle (Henry Cavill), akin to her book.
With Argylle Super Spy, instead of the typical spy adventure narrative, Matthew Vaughn, along with screenwriter Jason Fuchs, opted to reinvent the action genre by directly addressing the script’s elements with unexpected twists. The journey of Elly Conway, alongside spy Aidan (Sam Rockwell), runs parallel to the exciting escapades of Argylle, leading to a convergence of humor and seriousness.
Fashion Forward, Action Packed
With a budget exceeding $200 million, the Argylle Super Spy team spent significant time developing a brand for their super spy, along with fashion, music, and vibrant visuals. Director Matthew Vaughn mentioned creating a cheerful, lively work that engages the audience’s senses: “In my view, Kingsman is a sleek brand, while Argylle is more vibrant and bold. These two brands need to complement each other. Now we have two distinct brands, each with its own characteristics and unique charm.”
With the film set across various locations worldwide, every destination that Elly and Argylle set foot on will be uniquely crafted with specific colors and designs, showcasing the creative visual elements of the project.
The fashion in the film evokes nostalgia for the vibrant 80s while incorporating modern elements for a fresh experience. Costume designer Stephanie Collie has collaborated with director Matthew Vaughn on several projects including Silent Night (2021) and Layer Cake (2004). She has also worked alongside actors like Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, and Samuel L. Jackson.
The Versace dress worn by Dua Lipa at the film’s premiere garnered significant attention. Additionally, the velvet suits and flat top hairstyles worn by Henry Cavill in his portrayal of the super spy Argylle were standout features.
A Star-Studded Talent Pool of Hollywood Heavyweights
This project features the participation of Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, Oscar-winning actor Sam Rockwell, pop star Dua Lipa, Oscar-nominated Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson, Catherine O’Hara, Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose, and John Cena.
Alongside Henry Cavill as Argylle and Elly Conway, Sam Rockwell plays Elly’s partner Aidan. Meanwhile, Bryan Cranston’s role in the film is undisclosed. Legendary Samuel L. Jackson reunites with Matthew Vaughn after Kingsman in a mysterious role as Alfred Solomon. Following her successful cameo in Barbie, Dua Lipa will have her first significant role in film as LaGrange – a captivating femme fatale connected to Argylle. John Cena, known for his roles in Suicide Squad and Fast & Furious, plays Wyatt, Argylle’s humorous brother.
However, the real star of the film is Chip, Vaughn’s daughter’s pet cat, who plays Alfie, Elly’s loyal companion. She will never be far from home without Alfie by her side. Thus, when Aidan pulls Elly into a life-threatening chase across multiple locations worldwide, Alfie will also be nestled in Elly’s designer bag.
On the first day of filming, the professional cat actor selected by the production team decided not to cooperate, so director Matthew Vaughn noted: “I had to go into my daughter’s room and declare that this cat would work with me for the next three months. Driving to the set with a cat in my car was quite an unusual experience; Chip lived in my truck throughout the filming process, and Chip’s appearance in the film is absolutely delightful!”
ARGYLLE SUPER SPY (original title: ARGYLLE) will premiere on February 10, 2024 (the first day of Tết Lunar New Year 2024).
