Director Otto Bathurst talks new Robin Hood movie and its social relevance
Production on Lionsgate’s upcoming new Robin Hood movie is set to begin next week in Dubrovnik, Croatia and during a press conference about their production in the country, director Otto Bathurst spoke about what he hopes to do with the film and its relevance in modern day.
‘To be honest, when this film was first offered to me, I turn it down immediately,” Bathurst said (via Dubrovnik Daily). “The world doesn’t need another Robin Hood film, we had enough. But when started to look into it and investigate this man and legend, the story seemed more relevant today than has ever been. For me, making film is about reflecting what’s going on at the moment, to bring back something to humanity, to society. So there is a purpose to the film rather than being pure entertainment. We want to be entertained as well. Every day the film seems to be more and more important. This will be a great peace of entertainment but there is also a real subtext to the movie about government, corruption and the power of individual to bring change to society. It’s about 99 % being ruled by 1 % and if any of us, any normal man has the strength and the courage to stand up and fight for the truth, than the real change can happen. That is the strong message of Robin Hood and it’s going to be even stronger message of my Robin Hood.”
The cast for the new Robin Hood movie includes Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service, Eddie the Eagle) as the title hero, with Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained, Ray) as Little John, Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) as Will Scarlet, Eve Hewson (Bridge of Spies) as Maid Marion, Tim Minchin (Californication) as Friar Tuck, and Paul Anderson (Peaky Blinders, The Revenant) in an undisclosed role.
Described as having a “gritty tone,” the film finds Robin Hood returning from The Crusades to discover a Sherwood Forest rife with corruption and evil. Teaming with a band of outlaws, he takes matters into his own hands to set things right, with very little merry-making along the way.
Bathurst directs from a screenplay by Joby Harold, Robin Hood is produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Basil Iwanyk, Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold. It will arrive in theaters on March 23, 2018.