Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie Face Off for Throne in ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ Trailer

Saoirse Ronan unleashes her battle cry as the titular character of Mary Queen of Scots in the upcoming film’s first trailer, released Thursday.

Ronan stars opposite Margot Robbie in the royal period drama, which pits 16th-century monarchs Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I (Robbie) against each other as they each assert their claims to the throne.

In the trailer, Mary Stuart returns to her native Scotland, now under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I. Mary hopes to reign in Scotland harmoniously, despite pressures from patriarchal counsels to pursue war.

“Do not play into their hands. Our hatred is precisely what they hope for,” Mary cries to Elizabeth in the trailer.

Former House of Cards showrunner Beau Willimon scripted the drama, which draws inspiration from the book Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy. 

Josie Rourke takes leave from her job as artistic director of The Donmar Warehouse in London to direct the film, with Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Debra Hayward producing the Focus Features project. 

The large cast portraying members of the royal families includes David Tennant, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, Gemma Chan, Martin Compston, Ismael Cordova, Brendan Coyle, Ian Hart, Adrian Lester, James McArdle and Guy Pearce.

The film is set to open in theaters Dec. 7. Watch the full trailer above.

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