About 14 years ago, a Ridley Scott movie flopped with an underwhelming 44% Rotten Tomatoes score, but a new Hugh Jackman film can finally make up for its pitfalls. In a career spanning over four decades, Ridley Scott has directed more than 50 projects, and as his long list of upcoming projects suggests, he is not stopping anytime soon. However, like most directors, Scott has experienced many ebbs and flows throughout his career. While some of his movies, like Gladiator and Alien, have earned him immense acclaim, others, like Napoleon and House of Gucci, have struggled to leave their mark.

Falling in the latter category, a 14-year-old Ridley Scott film initially showed immense promise, especially because of the director’s ability to bring some of the most entertaining takes on real history. However, similar to Napoleon, this film failed to deliver on its true potential. Fortunately, an upcoming Hugh Jackman movie might finally rectify its failures.

Hugh Jackman Is Making A Robin Hood Movie – What We Know

The Death of Robin Hood Is Reinventing The Classic Story

Hugh Jackman’s most anticipated role may be his return as Wolverine in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, but the actor also has other interesting projects lined up for the future. For instance, as reports confirm (via Variety), he will be starring in a new Robin Hood movie, titled The Death of Robin Hood, alongside Jodie Comer of the Killing Eve fame. Because it is widely recognized and celebrated as a tale of resistance against oppression, Robin Hood has received several adaptations in nearly all storytelling mediums in the past.

Owing to this, it is not surprising that it is getting another adaptation. However, as the plot synopsis of the Hugh Jackman movie suggests, it will not be like most direct adaptations of the classic fable. Instead, with Michael Sarnoski at its helm, the movie will reinvent the original story by focusing on a “battle-worn” Robin Hood who will find himself “grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder.” His only hope for salvation comes when he finds himself in “the hands of a mysterious woman.” From the details in its official logline, The Death of Robin Hood comes off as an intriguing take on the original tale.

What Went Wrong With Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood Movie

Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood Failed To Etch Its Own Identity

Even Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood movie was initially supposed to be a unique adaptation of the source material. Titled Nottingham, the original story was about the Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin Hood‘s main antagonist. Despite him being a villain in the original tale, the script portrayed him in a more sympathetic light and followed his pursuit of tracking down the mysterious marauder who keeps looting the town’s upper-class citizens. Unfortunately, Ridley Scott dropped the new angle on the story and took a more traditional route by portraying Robin Hood as the main character.

Although many factors eventually led to Robin Hood‘s failure, its criticism primarily revolved around its inability to carve its identity among the plethora of adaptations that preceded it. Many critics praised its mise en scène and gritty action sequences, but they could not help but notice the lack of novelty and thrill in its storyline. Whether the original script might have made up for these flaws will always remain a mystery. However, since it unfolded the classic tale from a completely different perspective, the focus on the Sheriff of Nottingham in the original story might have made the film seem more refreshing and memorable.

Hugh Jackman’s Robin Hood Movie Can Do A Lot Better Than Ridley Scott’s 2010 Movie

Hugh Jackman’s Robin Hood Isn’t Treading The Same Path As Its Predecessors

Unlike most Robin Hood adaptations that focus on the heroic outlaw’s origins or his daring exploits against the rich, Hugh Jackman’s Robin Hood seems to be a story about the legendary figure’s guilt and trauma. While the movie may still have some action, its plot details suggest it will be more of an emotional drama about a former vigilante’s struggles with salvation. The Death of Robin Hood‘s new approach to the familiar fable may not guarantee its success. However, it confirms that Hugh Jackman has signed up for a Robin Hood adaptation that is avoiding the mistakes of several failed reinterpretations.