Sky, Future Artists Entertainment and Silver Reel announce today that Naomie Harris, Gwendoline Christie and Mark Williams (Harry Potter, Golden Years) join the ensemble cast of a new family adventure film, joined by rising star Darcey Ewart (Prancer: A Christmas Tale, To Olivia). Robin and the Hood completed principal photography over the summer, and will debut as a Sky Original in the UK & Ireland on Sky Cinema. Ewart will play the lead role of Robin, whilst Harris takes on the role of unscrupulous developer ‘Clipboard’, Christie plays environmental activist ‘Aura’ and Williams features as the local Town Mayor. GFM Global Sales joins as international sales agent following a deal inked prior to the 2023 American Film Market.
Robin and the Hood is directed by Phil Hawkins (Prancer: A Christmas Tale) and written by Stuart Benson and Paul Davidson, with the script first optioned by Silver Reel in 2021. The film is produced by Silver Reel’s Claudia Bluemhuber and Future Artists Entertainment’s Matt Williams. Alexander Jooss, Florian Dargel and Karol Griffiths (Silver Reel) and Julia Stuart, Andrew Orr (Sky) will executive produce.
For the tenacious 11-year-old Robin and her loyal band of friends ‘The Hoods’, the patch of overgrown scrubland at the end of their cul-de-sac is a magical kingdom. Sticks and bin lids have become swords and shields, drones have become majestic eagles and the hippy lady in the forest is a terrifying witch. The only thing limiting their colourful imagination is the prospect of losing their kingdom forever. When the slippery property developer Clipboard turns up and dazzles the parents of the area with promises of health spas and day-care facilities, Robin and The Hoods’ world is faced with an existential threat. Despite the children’s best efforts, their protests fall on deaf ears. When their parents can’t see the wood for the trees, Robin and her friends take matters into their own hands to defend their kingdom.
Julia Stuart, Director of Original Film at Sky said: “Robin and the Hood is set to be an adventure that the whole family can enjoy on Sky Cinema, with rising star Darcey Ewart as the iconic character, Robin, alongside Naomie Harris, Mark Williams and Gwendoline Christie.”
Claudia Bluemhuber at Silver Reel, said: “We were excited about Stuart and Paul’s script from the moment we encountered it – Robin and the Hood is a story with a big heart and plenty of laughter, which reminds us of the power and importance of imagination in a world that is swiftly losing it. Landing the fantastic trio of Naomie, Mark, Gwendoline and Darcey to lead our cast is a brilliant coup, and we’re thrilled that Sky, Future Artists and GFM are joining us on this adventure!”
Matt Williams at Future Artists Entertainment, said: “I am unbelievably excited to bring this fresh new take on Robin Hood to the screen. Not just any ordinary family film, Robin and The Hood is a joy-filled, action packed fantasy that brought me straight back to my own childhood where movies such as The Goonies and The Never-Ending Story occupied every Saturday afternoon. I am also thrilled and excited to continue my long working relationship with Sky.”
Fred Hedman at GFM Film Sales, said: “We created a family division at GFM and it just happened to fit our company moniker, Great Family Movies. ‘Robin and the Hood’ fits exactly into that description. It’s a joy, full of laughter and suspense and action, exactly what we are looking for in a family adventure. We have plenty of star quality to light up the screen with Naomi Harris, mark Williams, Gwendoline Christie and Darcey Ewart. Silver Reel and Future Artists have worked miracles with this brilliant take on an ageless classic. It’s good to continue our fruitful relationship with Sky Originals and their team.”
