The extraordinary tale of King Richard III’s remains being discovered beneath a Leicester parking lot, led by amateur historian Philippa Langley, has now taken a dramatic legal turn. The 2022 film ‘The Lost King,’ which chronicles Langley’s quest, has been accused of misrepresenting Richard Taylor, a former University of Leicester official, leading to a libel lawsuit. Taylor claimed the film caused him ‘enormous distress and embarrassment’ by portraying him as ‘smug, unduly dismissive, and patronizing.’ The case, which was set for trial, was settled on Monday, with the film’s producers agreeing to pay Taylor substantial damages and legal costs. The settlement includes an on-screen clarification stating that Taylor’s depiction is fictional. Taylor, now COO at Loughborough University, expressed relief after a ‘long and grueling battle,’ while co-writer and actor Steve Coogan defended the film as a true account of Langley’s story. The discovery of Richard III’s remains in 2012, after centuries of obscurity, was a historic moment, with Langley playing a pivotal role. Richard III, who died in 1485, has been a controversial figure, with some historians arguing he was unfairly vilified. His remains were reburied with royal honors in 2015.
Producers pay damages to settle libel suit over movie about search for King Richard III
