Jack the Giant Slayer (previously titled Jack the Giant Killer) is a 2013 American fantasy adventure film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Darren Lemke, Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney, from a story by Lemke and David Dobkin. The film, based on the British fairy tales “Jack the Giant Killer” and “Jack and the Beanstalk”, stars Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, Eddie Marsan and Ewan McGregor. The film tells the story of Jack, a young farmhand who must rescue a princess from a race of giants after inadvertently opening a gateway to their land in the sky.

In the Kingdom of Cloister, a young peasant boy, Jack, is told a bedtime story by his father while elsewhere Princess Isabel is told the same story by her mother, the Queen. In a time long past, monks crafted magic beans that grew into a large beanstalk. At the top was the unknown realm of Gantua, home to a race of giants. The giants killed the monks and attacked the earth below. But through the use of a magical crown, King Erik was able to control the giants and force them to return. The beanstalk was cut down and the giants swore revenge on all in King Erik’s line. When King Erik died, his magic crown and the remaining beans were buried with him to keep them safe.

Ten years later, Jack (Nicholas Hoult), now orphaned and living with his uncle, is sent to sell a horse and cart at market. There, he runs into a disguised Isabel (Eleanor Tomlinson), whom he defends from an attack. The royal guard appears and Isabel is taken back to the castle. Afterwards, Jack realizes his cart was stolen and he is forced to head home dejectedly.

Lord Roderick (Stanley Tucci), second in command to King Brahmwell (Ian McShane), discovers that a monk had broken into his study. Roderick had collected the hidden beans and crown and intended to use the giants to take over. The monk had stolen the beans and Roderick commands the monk be pursued. The monk, desperate to escape, runs into Jack and exchanges the beans for his horse. Warning Jack not to get the beans wet, the monk flees, pursued by the guards.

Isabel, having been brought to her father, King Brahmwell, is scolded for running off. She is told she needs to start taking responsibility for her actions. While Isabel argues, the King refuses to listen. Isabel will be married to Roderick and must forget her dreams of love and adventure. At the same time, Jack is scolded by his uncle for accepting the beans. Jack is similarly told to start taking responsibility. His uncle then leaves to head to town himself.

Isabel again disguises herself and sneaks out of the castle. She is caught in an unexpected storm and comes upon Jack’s door. While they talk, the rain leaks into the house and wets one of the beans. It grows into a massive beanstalk that traps Isabel in the house as it is lifted into the sky. Jack attempts to free her, but is knocked away. The next morning, Jack is awoken by King Brahmwell and the royal guard. Jack reveals Isabel was taken up with the beanstalk and King Brahmwell sends his best knight Elmont (Ewan McGregor), Lord Roderick, and several other knights up the beanstalk to retrieve her. Jack volunteers to join. The climb up the stalk is long and difficult, with many knights falling during a storm. Elmont tells Jack that, according to the law, a princess must marry a noble. After reaching the top, they set off to find Isabel. Roderick corners Jack and takes the remaining beans from him, though Jack secretly keeps one.

The group splits up. Elmont and Crawe (his second) are knocked out and taken captive by a giant while Jack follows secretly. Roderick’s companions are killed and another giant appears, but Roderick reveals the magical crown and forces the giant to obey him. Elmont and Crawe are taken to the leader of the giants, Fallon (Bill Nighy), where they are reunited with Isabel. Fallon eats Crawe to intimidate the others into telling how they arrived. But before he can continue the questioning, Roderick arrives wearing the magical crown and takes command. He proclaims himself king of the giants, orders that Isabel and Elmont be eaten, and has the giants prepare to descend the beanstalk and conquer the world for him.