The King's Man

Adam Murray was invited by director Matthew Vaughn to serve as Choreographer and Movement Director on The King’s Man, the prequel to the multi-million-dollar Kingsman franchise. Vaughn approached Adam directly following the success of his work on Rocketman, recognising the power of movement as a narrative tool and seeking to bring the same level of character-led physical storytelling to the world of The King’s Man. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the film explores the origins of the world’s first independent intelligence agency through heightened action, stylised combat, and a grounded yet expressive physical language.

Working closely with Vaughn and the cast, Adam developed distinct movement vocabularies that supported both story and character, ensuring that action and performance were always rooted in psychology rather than spectacle alone. A central collaboration was with actress Valerie Pachner on the portrayal of historical icon Mata Hari. Adam’s ability to create a safe and supportive creative environment was key to unlocking the character’s physical identity, allowing Pachner to explore vulnerability, control, and menace with confidence. Together, they shaped a movement language that fused seduction, power, and danger, elevating Mata Hari beyond archetype and grounding her presence within the film’s heightened world.

Produced by Marv Films and released by 20th Century Studios, The King’s Man premiered in 2021, expanding the Kingsman universe with a darker and more historically rooted tone while retaining the franchise’s signature style, precision, and kinetic energy. Adam’s movement direction played a vital role in balancing these elements, reinforcing the film’s identity through physical storytelling as much as dialogue or action.