Hugh Jackman has revealed his enduring fascination with antihero characters, drawing direct comparisons between his upcoming film The Death of Robin Hood and his iconic 2017 superhero movie Logan. In a recent interview alongside co-star Jodie Comer, Jackman stated, "I am fascinated by them" when discussing his attraction to morally complex roles.
Parallels Between Robin Hood and Wolverine
Jackman portrays an aged Robin Hood in The Death of Robin Hood, offering a gritty, darker interpretation of the legendary English folk hero. He noted that long-time fans will recognize similarities to Logan, which presented a mature, aging Wolverine. "I go back to even Star Wars as a kid, it was, Who's Han Solo? That's an interesting character. I was very intrigued by them," Jackman said. He also cited Clint Eastwood's 1992 film Unforgiven as a key influence, explaining, "I think as I get older, I'm more and more drawn to the gray areas of humanity rather than the easy fix."
Exploring the Consequences of Violence
The new film explores the long-term effects of a life of violence, with Robin severely injured early in the story and left in the care of Comer's character, Sister Brigid, at a monastery. The cast also includes Bill Skarsgard, Noah Jupe, Murray Bartlett, and Faith Delaney. Jackman, who also produced the movie, described the experience as deeply reflective. "I keep saying the word beautiful, which sounds a little reductive or something. But it feels that way to me in the way that humanity can be complex and beautiful," he shared.
Healing Through Death Scenes
Jackman reflected on filming the death sequences, noting they provided a sense of healing. "There's something about sitting in the idea of the final moments of life when you're hoping it's not the final amounts of life, but you get to go there and experience it," he said. He added, "There's a beauty to death, to the ending," with Comer interjecting, "Letting go." Jackman agreed, "Letting go, exactly. That was the feeling of this character, who's been so held on to so many things and carrying the weight of so much guilt and pain. Being able to let go of it and going into that space is meditative, calming and really healing, actually."
The Death of Robin Hood is now playing in theaters.
