Jude Law Explains Why He Wore Blood and Feces-Scented Perfume for New Movie: 'A Stinky Method' (Exclusive)

Law portrays England's King Henry VIII in 'Firebrand,' releasing in theaters June 14

Jude Law is sharing why he wore a uniquely gross perfume while portraying England's King Henry VIII in his new movie.

At the 2024 Tribeca Festival premiere of Law's new movie Firebrand on Tuesday, June 11, the actor, 51, dished further on wearing blood and fecal matter-scented perfume for the historical drama.

"A stinky method," Law tells PEOPLE of the perfume, further highlighting "all sorts of things" he did to get into character for his movie with costar Alicia Vikander and filmmaker Karim Aïnouz.

"Karim creates what I call a 360-degree environment to acting, you don't know where the camera is, it's all sort of set up shots, it builds a world," Law says. "So the scent was a big part of that, we wanted it to smell and feel real."

Law and Vikander's movie Firebrand takes place in the final months of Henry VIII's rule in England during the 16th century and conflicts that arose between the monarch and his wife Katherine Parr (Vikander, 35).

"Sometimes we had rooms we'd leave the windows open so it was very cold so we'd wrap up in our furs. Always animals present, which was true to the time, so me smelling bad was just an addition to that," Law adds of finding authenticity in the production. "I learned that Henry had this stench because of his rotten legs and I just thought it'd be an interesting addition for those around me who had to faun over him and do his every desire [while] also sort of holding back this retch."

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Law first discussed his rough-smelling perfume following the movie's world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. "Initially I used it very subtly, I just thought I would use it myself and that would have an impact. But when Karim got ahold of it, it just became a spray-fest," he said during a press conference at the time.

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An official festival synopsis for Firebrand reads that the movie follows Vikander's character as she "navigates the treacherous waters of the Tudor court" in the months before Henry VIII's death.

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"As a champion of radical change, Parr's progressive beliefs and courage put her at odds with the ailing and increasingly paranoid monarch," the synopsis reads. "When Henry appoints her as Regent during his absence, Parr's newfound power threatens the courtiers who scheme against her, casting doubt on her fidelity to the King."

Filmmaker Aïnouz tells PEOPLE that he decided to make the movie because he felt surprised at how little Vikander's character Parr is remembered in modern-day media. "Everybody knows about Henry VIII and so many movies about the women that he killed but the one that stayed alive there's so little about," he says. "So for me, it was a reparation. I hope it's just the beginning of a part of history and acknowledging her amazing work that should be celebrated."

Firebrand releases in theaters Friday, June 14.

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