Director Shekhar Kapur (Bandit Queen, The Four Feathers) has mastered bringing flesh and blood to the epic film. The story he began with Elizabeth in 1998 continues with Elizabeth: The Golden Age. He discusses combining grandeur and intimacy.
Shekhar talks to Elvis about his interest in heroism as it's displayed in women, the mythological aspects of Elizabeth I and her rule, and how we only achieve harmony when we destroy structure. Shekhar also describes Sir Walter Raleigh (played by Clive Owen) as a renaissance man who excited Elizabeth and, in so doing, gave her freedom from fear.