Steve Coogan has broken his silence on the bitter dispute with Leicester University, delivering a defiant message: he will not be apologising for his role in 'The Lost King'. The actor and producer has firmly backed the film's portrayal of events surrounding the discovery of King Richard III's remains, despite ongoing criticism from the academic institution.
The Heart of the Controversy
The conflict centres on how Leicester University academics were depicted in the 2022 film, which tells the remarkable story of Philippa Langley's quest to find the medieval king's burial place. University officials have consistently argued that the movie misrepresents their contribution to the historic discovery, claiming it downplays their crucial role in the archaeological project.
Coogan's Unwavering Stance
In his first extensive comments on the matter, Coogan expressed his full support for Langley and the film's narrative. 'The university behaved in a way that was high-handed and dismissive,' the actor stated, making it clear he believes the institution initially sidelined Langley's efforts before attempting to claim credit for the successful outcome.
The film portrays several university figures as sceptical and obstructive towards Langley's mission, a characterisation that continues to rankle with the institution years after the actual discovery in 2012.
Philippa Langley's Ongoing Battle
Langley, whose determined research ultimately led to the king's remains being found beneath a Leicester car park, has been engaged in her own lengthy dispute with the university. She has accused them of attempting to 'airbrush' her out of the historical narrative and failing to properly acknowledge her instrumental role in one of Britain's most significant archaeological finds.
A Story That Resonates
'The Lost King' presents an compelling underdog story that captured public imagination - an amateur historian overcoming institutional scepticism to rewrite English history. The film's commercial success demonstrated how this narrative resonated with audiences, even as it created lasting tension with the academic community involved in the actual discovery.
With Coogan's latest comments, it appears this remarkable chapter in British archaeological history - and the disputes surrounding it - are far from settled.
