Entertainment

Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz feud over Olivia Colman in The Favourite trailer

The two women vie to be in favour with Colman’s Queen Anne.
The two women vie to be in favour with Colman’s Queen Anne. The two women vie to be in favour with Colman’s Queen Anne.

Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz feud for the affections of Olivia Colman in the new trailer for The Favourite.

The film, which will have its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, is set in 18th century England when England is at war with the French and a frail Queen Anne, played by Colman occupies the throne.

Olivia Colman as Queen Anne
Olivia Colman as Queen Anne Olivia Colman plays Queen Anne (Fox Searchlight)

Weisz plays her beloved friend Lady Sarah, who is the Queen’s closest confidante, until Stone’s Abigail arrives at court and threatens to take her place.

In the new footage, Weisz can be seen hurling books at Stone’s head and warning Colman’s Queen that the newcomer is a “viper”.

Rachel Weisz as Lady Sarah
Rachel Weisz as Lady Sarah Rachel Weisz as Lady Sarah (Fox Searchlight)

Weisz can also be seen brandishing a pistol, which she fires close to Stone, while Stone also shoots pigeons and sprays Weisz’s face with blood.

A voiceover warns: “Favour is a breeze that shifts direction all the time, then in an instant you’re back sleeping with a bunch of scabrous whores” and Weisz tells Stone: “If you don’t go I will start kicking you and I will not stop.”

Emma Stone as Abigail
Emma Stone as Abigail Emma Stone as Abigail (Fox Searchlight) (Yorgos Lanthimos)

Meanwhile, Colman’s monarch can be seen decked in fur robes and crown, complaining she is being gossiped about, lying on the floor wailing and munching on cake.

She screams at one attendant to look at her and when he does she yells: “How dare you? Close your eyes!”

The film, directed by The Lobster filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, will be released in UK cinemas on January 1  2019.