Recently, the conversation around cinema and television has included the possibility of an American actor playing James Bond, as well as the casting of John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore in the HBO Max remake of the Harry Potter books. This interest has intensified with the upcoming premiere of a new Robin Hood series on MGM+, Prime Video’s channel, which reminds us of the iconic film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves from 1991 starring Kevin Costner.
An American Robin Hood
The casting of Costner, a rising star after his success with Dances with Wolves, generated a wave of controversy in the United Kingdom, where many questioned his suitability for the role. Rumors that his accent sounded more Californian than British spread during production, suggesting that his performance might not meet expectations. These comments, reported by media such as Entertainment Weekly, were not unfounded; Costner’s accent became a topic of discussion both in reviews and among the public at the time of the premiere.
Despite the efforts made with dialogue coaches and re-recordings in the dubbing room, the cost direction did not insist that his accent be authentic enough, which resulted in an unconvincing vocal performance that contrasted with that of his co-stars, especially Alan Rickman, who delivered a standout performance. However, the film managed to be a box office success in the UK and was well received in Spain, becoming a classic of popular culture that has endured over the years.
As of today, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves can be seen on Be Mad and in the Netflix catalog, thus remembering its legacy and impact on cinematography. The controversy surrounding Costner’s accent, however, still remains alive and has led to parodies, such as the famous comedy Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
