Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer are set to star in a dark retelling of Robin Hood. The legendary figure from English folklore, who famously stole from the rich to give to the poor, has been adapted to the screen countless times over the years, going back to 1922’s Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood, 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood, and Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood from 1952. More recent adaptations include Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves from 1991, Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe, and the 2018 version starring Taron Egerton.
Now, according to Variety, Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer are set to star in a dark retelling, titled The Death of Robin Hood, from Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One director Michael Sarnoski. Though not explicitly stated, Jackman will likely play the titular role, with Comer playing Maid Marian. The project will hit the Cannes Market next month and is set to start production in February 2025. Sarnoski shared the following statement:
According to the film’s official logline, the dark retelling will see Robin Hood “grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder” as the “battleworn loner finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation.” As opposed to the jovial outlaw depicted in earlier adaptations, such as Errol Flynn’s portrayal in The Adventures of Robin Hood or even Cary Elwes in Mel Brooks’ 1993 Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Death of Robin Hood will certainly be a serious adaptation akin to the 1991, 2010, and 2018 versions.
In fact, The Death of Robin Hood sounds strikingly similar to director Richard Lester’s elegiac interpretation of the story in 1976’s Robin and Marian, which starred Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn as an older Robin Hood and Lady Marian. Perhaps there is no better modern director to tackle this darker retelling of Robin Hood than Michael Sarnoski. The director tackled dark themes to much acclaim in his debut, Pig, following Nicolas Cage’s lonely truffle hunter on a journey through the seedy underbelly of the Portland culinary scene to find his beloved foraging companion.
Sarnoski also wrote and directed A Quiet Place: Day One, which releases on June 28, depicting the first day the alien creatures with ultrasonic hearing invaded New York City. This is Sarnoski’s first time handling a studio tentpole, which should raise his profile significantly. Also this summer, Jackman will return to his most iconic role in Deadpool & Wolverine, releasing on July 26, with his last portrayal, 2017’s Logan, acting as a great example of why he’s perfect to play an aging Robin Hood.
Source: Variety