Scholars have long debated the authorship of Shakespeare’s many great plays. He is known as England’s national poet and is often held up as the greatest of all playwrites… but, was he a phony?

The Oxfordian theory proposes that Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, actually wrote the works which have long been attributed to Shakespeare -- an idea that’s explored in the new movie Anonymous. The film version will be stuffed with historical intrigue and illicit materials -- the earl has a tryst with Queen Elizabeth herself in the flick.

Rhys Ifans will star as Oxford. The actor will also take a turn in the new Spider-Man reboot as The Lizard.