Mary Queen of Scots, Starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, Release Date Pushed Back

Focus Features has just announced the delayed release date for Working Title’s Mary Queen of Scots, starring Oscar nominees Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie. The film, which was previously slated for Nov. 2, will now arrive in theaters in North America on Dec. 7. Ironically, this is the same date that Focus Features also released Atonement back in 2007, which ended up earning Ronan her first Oscar nomination. Perhaps this could be a trend for the actress.

According to the official synopsis from Focus Features, Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart (Ronan). Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry, instead returning to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne, but Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I (Robbie). Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones—and change the course of history.

The film is directed by well-known theater director Josie Rourke. She became the first woman to hold the title of artistic director for London’s illustrious Donmar Warehouse theater. Scots is written by Oscar nominee Beau Willimon, who previously penned The Ides of March with Ryan Gosling and Netflix’s House of Cards. Willimon adapted the story from historical biographer John Guy’s 2004 book My Heart is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, the Oscar-nominated producers of Atonement, Elizabeth, The Theory of Everything and Darkest Hour, produce the film with Oscar nominee Debra Hayward of Les Miserables.

Ronan is coming off her third Oscar nomination with her performance in last year’s Lady Bird, and Robbie is coming off her first Oscar nomination for her performance as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. The famous rivalry was previously played in film by Samantha Morton against Cate Blanchett’s Elizabeth I in the 2007 film Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Mary Queen of Scots also stars Jack Lowden (Dunkirk), Joe Alwyn (Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk), Gemma Chan (Humans), Martin Compston (Line of Dutyay Donovan) and Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey), with David Tennant (Doctor Who) and Guy Pearce.

Below, check out a pair of awesome images from the forthcoming film, which will surely attract some Oscar attention this season.