Hugh Jackman's 'The Death of Robin Hood' gets release date as film delivers dark twist on the legend
Hugh Jackman's much-awaited thriller film, 'The Death of Robin Hood,' finally has a release date. The intense story of the legendary folk character will come to life on the silver screen on June 19. A24 released the official promo on YouTube, confirming the date. The description of the film reads, "Grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, Robin Hood finds himself gravely injured after a battle he thought would be his last. In the hands of a mysterious woman, he is offered a chance at salvation."
The official poster for the movie, featuring the tagline 'Not The Legend You Remember,' was released on January 5 this year. Since then, anticipation for the project has surged, as this specific version of the folklore has never been explored on screen. Given A24's stellar record with dark dramas and horror, 'The Death of Robin Hood' looks to be another feather in the studio's cap. The film is directed by Michael Sarnoski, and Hugh Jackman stars as the titular character, supported by an impressive cast including Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, Faith Delaney, and Noah Jupe.
The minute-long promo for the film looks as gritty and intense as expected. Hugh Jackman's Robin Hood is now a broken, aging figure weighed down by his past, rather than the charming and charitable hero he is remembered as. "People speak of Robin Hood. Tell his stories. They are all lies. Lies that I told long ago," Jackman's character says to Jodie Comer in the clip as they sit by a fire. These lines and the dark atmosphere around the fire set the tone for the teaser. What follows is bleak landscapes, quiet tension, and flashes of violence set against an unsettling background score. While we see glimpses of Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe, they have no dialogue. The clip is a Hugh Jackman show from start to finish, though Jodie Comer appears in multiple frames. As per the description, her character acts as the catalyst for the story.
The promo concludes with Jackman's brooding voiceover: "This world cares only about blood. And blood is all I will give in return. I am the outlaw, Robin Hood." Rather than celebrating the legend, 'The Death of Robin Hood' seems to favor a darker tone over traditional bravado. Between this gritty new perspective and the powerhouse talent attached both in front of and behind the camera, the audience has every reason to be intrigued when the film hits theaters on June 19.