Hugh Jackman’s Dark & Gritty Robin Hood Movie Picked Up by A24

A24has snagged the rights for a hotly anticipated action film, in Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer’s The Death of Robin Hood. The movie was one of the hottest packages for sale at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and was quickly picked up by A24, the Indie studio behind major hits like Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, and Moonlight. The new movie, which is scheduled to begin production next February, is directed by Michael Sarnoski (A Quiet Place: Day One & Pig).

The new film is reportedly akin to Jackman’s portrayal of the aging X-Men icon, Wolverine, in James Mangold’s 2017 hit Logan. The official logline for The Death of Robin Hood reads:

“Grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, an aging 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.”

Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer were first cast in the project in March. Following the announcement, Michael Sarnoski released a statement (via Deadline) expressing his excitement about working with the two stars on the project. Sarnoski also said he’s ecstatic about having the opportunity to re-invent Robin Hood. To date, the iconic English legend has been the subject of well over 70 movies and TV shows. “It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood,” Sarnoski said, before going on to praise the film’s leading actors:

“Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”

The project also marks the second upcoming collaboration between A24 and Jodie Comer. The Liverpool-born actress (best known for her leading role in Killing Eve), is also set to star in a series adaptation of the popular Sex Therapy novel, Big Swiss, by author Jen Beagin. The series is being produced for HBO by Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries.

A24 Are Leaning Into Big-Budget Blockbuster Filmmaking

A24’s purchase of The Death of Robin Hood comes as part of the company’s plans to expand into larger-budget, blockbuster movies. At Cannes, the studio also purchased the US rights to The Entertainment System is Down, a new comedy from director Ruben Östlund (Triangle of Sadness). The film is set on a commercial flight and sees its star-studded cast, including Joel Edgerton, Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, Woody Harrelson, and Daniel Brühl, forced to face the horrors of boredom when the flight’s on-board entertainment system crashes.

A24 are also taking their exploration of action cinema into the ‘Octagon’, as they bring the incredible story of MMA legend, Mark Kerr to life in The Smashing Machine. The studio recently debuted the first look at Dwayne Johnson as Kerr in the film, showcasing a still from the movie. The Smashing Machine is being directed by The Safdie Brothers, who have shot to fame following the success of Uncut Gems and the Showtime series The Curse (both in partnership with A24).