The Death of Robin Hood: Hugh Jackman proves his class once again

Hugh Jackman has probably never been seen on screen looking so tired, dejected, and disillusioned. In "The Death of Robin Hood," he plays an aging title character who has been scarred by life – and by killing. The Robin Hood in this film is a world away from the heroic archer of other film adaptations. Director and screenwriter Michael Sarnoski, who previously made a name for himself with "Pig" and "A Quiet Place: Day One," portrays his protagonist as a loner who has left a trail of blood in his wake. Here, Robin Hood is no hero, but a killer.

The way Jackman breathes life into this complex character is truly remarkable – and proves once again that he is a highly regarded, yet somehow also underrated, actor. Sure, Hugh Jackman has already won numerous awards and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in 2013 for his role in Tom Hooper's musical "Les Misérables." The 57-year-old is a sought-after star. Yet he isn't recognized as the character actor he truly deserves to be.

Hugh Jackman: More than "just" a Marvel star

This is likely due in no small part to his most famous role. As the "X-Men" superhero Wolverine, the Australian actor made his international breakthrough over 25 years ago. Since then, he has portrayed the character numerous times. Most recently, two years ago, in the hugely successful blockbuster "Deadpool & Wolverine," which grossed a staggering $1.3 billion worldwide. The grim Marvel hero has thus been with him for a quarter-century – which is both a blessing and a curse. Jackman owes a great deal to this successful role, but he also risks being reduced to the character. It has shaped his acting career like no other role. In the eyes of many, Jackman is likely seen as one thing above all else: a Marvel actor.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Jackman also proves his class time and again in the "X-Men" films. Alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine is one of the most popular characters the Marvel Universe has to offer. The mere fact that he has embodied such a pop culture icon for so many years – and is celebrated for it – is a testament to Jackman's immense charisma. He's just so closely associated with the role of the blockbuster action hero that it's easy to forget his acting feats in complex cinematic highlights like Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" and Denis Villeneuve's "Prisoners." And it's all too easy to overlook just how masterfully he handles the more subtle moments as well.

A precise actor

The best example is his role in "The Front Runner." This 2018 political drama by Jason Reitman went more or less completely unnoticed. Jackman plays an American senator who, in the 1980s, wants to become the Democratic presidential nominee – and is suddenly confronted with compromising photos that throw everything into disarray. The nuance with which the actor embodies the protagonist's mounting despair is remarkable. It's the kind of small, understated performance that hardly anyone thinks of when Hugh Jackman is mentioned. But it demonstrates just what a precise, top-tier actor he is.

And just before that, in one of his many superhero films as Wolverine, he had already proven how well he understands how to give his characters astonishing depth. We're talking about "Logan," James Mangold's 2017 comic book adaptation, in which he plays an aging hero, worn down by life. Never before has Wolverine been seen on screen looking so tired, dejected, and disillusioned. In a way, it's a preview of Jackman's performance in "The Death of Robin Hood" – though that one is ten times harder, more brutal, and more unconventional. And who knows: perhaps his deconstruction of the Robin Hood myth also offers a glimpse of things to come. Toward a future in which Hugh Jackman is no longer primarily perceived as a Marvel star – but rather as a character actor.

"The Death of Robin Hood" hits theaters on June 19, 2026.