After years of earning critical praise for his turns in low-budget, independent films, actor Ben Mendelsohn has finally started branching out and showing off his acting chops in big-budget studio features, perhaps best evidenced by his role as the diabolical Orson Krennic in the soon-to-be-released Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. According to Variety, he’s looking to keep that going, as the outlet reports that he’s signed on to play the main antagonist in Robin Hood: Origins, the Sheriff of Nottingham.
A classic character from Robin Hood lore and constant pursuer of the titular hero, the Sheriff has previously been brought to life by such legendary actors as Alan Rickman, Robert Shaw and Peter Finch.
Mendelsohn will be joining a cast comprised of Taron Egerton (Robin Hood), Eve Hewson (Maid Marian), Jamie Foxx (Little John), Jamie Dornan (Will Scarlett) and Paul Anderson in what has been described a “darkly toned” Robin Hood reboot. The plot reportedly follows the titular hero as he teams up with a Moorish commander to take down the corrupt English monarchy.
This year, Mendelsohn took home an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in Bloodline, which fans of his agree is just one of many great productions he’s been a part of. In the past few years alone, Mendelsohn has churned out several award-worthy performances in such films as Animal Kingdom, The Place Beyond the Pines, Starred Up and Mississippi Grind.
Otto Bathurst is set to helm the picture, with a script from Joby Harold; Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Basil Iwanyk, Tory Tunnell, and Harold will produce. Lionsgate has targeted a March 23rd, 2018 release date for Robin Hood: Origins.
Originally published December 14, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
