Matthew Vaughan has big plans for the world of The Kingsman. It was widely reported that Vaughan would shoot a third Kingsman film (which would wrap up the story of Harry and Eggsy) back-to-back with a prequel film entitled The Great Game. Back in August, we delivered a few details about a pair of new characters set to be introduced and now we’re back with many, many more details about what to expect in Kingsman: The Great Game!

The Great Game will be set during the World War I and Vaughan and company have made the commitment to center the film around some of the most important people and events of the early 20th century. We previously knew the protagonist would be named Conrad, a cocky young son of a British Duke determined to serve his country. We now know that his parents will be the Duke and Duchess of Oxford (Oxfords, not brogues) and that Conrad will find himself thrust into the midst the world of espionage with some of history’s most dangerous spies and assassins. We’ve heard that the studio has narrowed down it’s list for the role of Conrad and we can confirm that the studio has settled on 22-year old British actor Harris Dickinson.

In August we also reported that film would feature an older male and that Ralph Fiennes was among those being courted for a male lead. Fiennes has also joined the cast, a role which may well be Conrad’s father, the Duke of Oxford. The film will also feature another prominent member of the Oxford household: Conrad’s nanny, Polly. Described as a ruthless force of nature, Polly is instrumental in raising Conrad and is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with his father. Academy Award winning actress Rachel Weisz is currently circling the role of Polly, though no agreements have been reached at this time.

Another of the film’s leads will be one of the most enigmatic and influential figures of WWI: Grigori Rasputin. Rasputin was a controversial figure in Russia, having gained considerable influence over Tsar Nicholas II after “healing” his hemophiliac son Alexi. The film will certainly focus on Rasputin’s “unscrupulous and Machiavellian” ways in the final days of the Russian Imperialism. Casting in still in process for the role with Brad Pitt atop the list of actors Fox hopes to land, though they have not begun negotiating with the actor. 

Rasputin will be joined in the film by two other key WWI figures: Gavrilo Princip and Margaretha Zelle. Princip was among those who assassinated Austrian Archduke Ferdinand, one of several key events that led to the British becoming involved in the war. In the film, Princip will work for the “cruel and vindictive” Shepherd, a shadow figure who seems to be one of the film’s key figures. Zelle’s name may not ring a bell, but the Dutch-born French spy’s stage name of Mata Hari might. Mata Hari was executed by a firing squad after admitting she had served as a double agent for the Germans during the war. It will be interesting to see what relationship, if any, Conrad develops with these two key historical figures.

The film will also feature legendary Irish General Herbert Kitchener who was the Secretary of State for War during WWI. A close friend of Conrad’s father, Kitchener may provide the young man with his opportunity to serve Great Britain. Kitchener’s ever-present, ever-prepared aide, Max Morton, will also play a role in film’s plot and, as is to be expected in a spy film, everything with him may not be what it seems.

We’ve known since the original Kingsman film that the organization’s beginnings were tied to World War I so it’ll be interesting to see how Vaughan and company tie these historical figures into the “Great Game” origin.

What do you all think of the inclusion of these characters? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to That Hashtag Show for more on this story as it develops!