Chalamet: Becoming ‘The King’ terrifying

VENICE, Italy — Timothee Chalamet is already one of the most acclaimed young actors working today, but he says that the prospect of playing young Henry V in “The King” was terrifying.

“It was a real challenge for me,” Chalamet said at the Venice International Film Festival, where the film is having its world premiere. “It was terrifying at the same time but I had an amazing time.”

He was drawn to the project simply because he was out of his wheelhouse. The 23-year-old has been nominated for an Oscar, but he’s never done stunts, worked with swords or played a role quite like this.

The film is drawn from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” as well as “Henry IV” parts one and two. The film follows young Henry, or Hal, from his drunken days in Eastcheap to his early days as King of England, a position he never wanted and takes reluctantly when his father, Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn), dies.

“The King” is playing out of competition at Venice, and is one of three Netflix films, including “The Laundromat” and “Marriage Story” making their debut on the Lido. It will open in theaters Oct. 11, before hitting Netflix on Nov. 1.

Chalamet, meanwhile, also has “Little Women” coming to theaters this Christmas, reuniting him with his “Lady Bird” director Greta Gerwig.

“I’m really trying to just do great projects and things that are challenging,” Chalamet said. “I feel I’m really still learning and trying to chase whatever best version of an actor I can be.”