"I am fascinated by them": Hugh Jackman talks about his interest in playing antiheroes like Logan and Robin Hood on-screen
Washington DC, June 27
Actor and singer Hugh Jackman draws lines of comparison between 'The Death of Robin Hood' and his 2017 superhero movie 'Logan', saying that "there are some definite parallels."
He also spoke about his interest in playing antihero characters throughout his career, according to People.
"I am fascinated by them," Jackman said while discussing his newest movie, The Death of Robin Hood, alongside costar Jodie Comer.
The actor plays an aged Robin Hood in the new movie 'The Death of Robin Hood'.
The new movie sees Jackman portray the legendary English folk hero and takes on a gritty, darker look at the character than past films have attempted. Long-time fans of Jackman may notice similarities between the movie and 2017's Logan, which offered a similarly mature look at Jackman's X-Men character Wolverine as he grew older, according to People.
"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 says.
He also gave an example of Clint Eastwood's 1992 movie 'Unforgiven' with an antihero at its centre that has an impact on him. "I think as I get older, I'm more and more drawn to the gray areas of humanity rather than the easy fix or this is who that person is, this is who that is," as quoted by People.
"I really love that, because Logan, I had a lot of say in where we were going with that, and I think this takes it even further, but there are some definite parallels there," he added.
The Death of Robin Hood meets Jackman's iteration of the character as an older man grappling with the long-term effects of a life of violence. Robin is severely injured in a fight early in the movie, leaving him in the care of Comer's Sister Brigid at a monastery. Bill Skarsgard, Noah Jupe, Murray Bartlett and Faith Delaney appear in the movie as well, as per the outlet.
He once shared that being associated with a movie that shows main character's death gave him plenty of "healing" opportunities to reflect. "I keep saying the word beautiful, which sounds a little reductive or something," Jackman, who also produced the movie, says. "But it feels that way to me in the way that humanity can be complex and beautiful," as quoted by People.
"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 says of filming the movie's death sequences.
"There's a beauty to death, to the ending," he adds, as Comer says, "Letting go."
"Letting go, exactly," Jackman says. "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," according to People.
'The Death of Robin Hood' is in theatres now.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I'm tired of this antihero obsession. Why can't we have straightforward good guys anymore? But I must admit, Jackman's Logan was exceptional, and if this is similar, I'll probably watch it. Just wish Hollywood showed us more heroes who don't have to be broken to be interesting.
As someone who grew up on stories of Robin Hood in India, this darker take is intriguing. The idea of an aged Robin Hood grappling with his past reminds me of our own epic heroes like Bhishma or Karna—the weight of their choices haunts them till the end. Jackman really gets it. 🎯
Jackman comparing this to Logan gives me chills. That movie was a masterpiece of showing how even the most violent lives can end with peace and redemption. The idea of 'letting go' is so universal—it's something we all need to learn. Definitely watching this when it releases in India!
This feels like a very Hollywood version of 'Karma'—where even a legendary figure like Robin Hood must face the consequences of his actions. I appreciate that they're not glorifying violence but showing its toll. Jackman is such a thoughtful actor, really respects the craft. 👏
Finally, a movie that treats Robin hood as a real person, not just a cartoonish hero. The parallels with Logan—a hero broken by his own violence—are spot on. I think Indian audiences will connect with this because we also grew up with flawed heroes in our epics. The scene with him in the monastery sounds powerful.
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