‘Kingsman’ Star Creates Tug-of-War Between Lionsgate and Fox

This story first appeared in the Oct. 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

Taron Egerton is learning that being a rising star can be complicated. The 25-year-old English actor broke big this year with Kingsman: The Secret Service, director Matthew Vaughn‘s surprise action hit that grossed $412.1 million worldwide. 20th Century Fox, which has a sequel option on Egerton, now wants another installment and is planning a shoot starting in April despite not yet having a script.

However, after Kingsman made him an in-demand actor, Egerton nabbed the plum lead in Robin Hood: Origins, Lionsgate’s take on the medieval archer being produced by Leonardo DiCaprio‘s Appian Way. That movie is looking to begin shooting in February, and its scope and length would create a conflict with Kingsman 2. At this stage, Fox isn’t budging. Its option on Egerton puts it in first position, meaning Kingsman 2 could trump Hood. However, Lionsgate is further ahead in preproduction and is making offers to actors to play Hood’s Merry Men.

Usually a hot actor’s reps (in this case, CAA) can navigate scheduling spats, but in this unusual instance it will be up to the studios. (A similar tug-of-war erupted between Fox and Lionsgate over Jennifer Lawrence‘s obligations to X-Men and The Hunger Games, respectively.) Insiders believe things will be worked out, which would be good news for Egerton, who soon could be the star of two studio franchises.

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