Looks like Lionsgate Entertainment has found someone to retell the origins of Robin Hood.
Though Lionsgate has met with several “hot helmers”, Deadline reported that Otto Bathurst has been eyed for the role of director for “Robin Hood: Origins“. The rush to appoint a director came after rivals Disney, Warner Bros., and Sony slotted their Robin Hood adaptations release in the near future. As a result, Lionsgate is pushing for their origins movie to start production by early 2016.
Bathurst has directed a few TV series, including “20 Things to Do Before You’re 30”, “Hustle”, and “Five Days”, but his epic UK gangster series “Peaky Blinders” was the one that catapulted him to fame. He is also set to direct “Three Seconds”, a crime drama revolving around an ex-convict, which will also be his directorial debut.
“Robin Hood: Origins” will be based on a script by Joby Harold, who has had experience writing middle ages film like “Knights of the Roundtable: King Arthur”.
The origin, which tells the story of Robin Hood before he became the well-known bandit, has been compared to “The Dark Knight” due to the movie’s mood and similar storyline. The feature film will see Robin Hood returning from the battle in the Crusades, only to find his beloved town, Sherwood Forest, rampant with unscrupulous individuals who encourage the unethical behaviour of corruption. With his town shrouded by evil and crime, he forms his band of merry outlaws who choose to take matters into their own hands.
Leonardo Dicaprio-owned production company, Appian Way, is slated to develop the project after Lionsgate cquired the script penned by Harold. Dicaprio will be producing it alongside Jenniffer Davisson, Tory Tunnell, and Harold.
The movie is being described as a “gritty” film with no holds barred.
