As a huge movie fan, I’ve always loved seeing skilled archers on screen – guys like Green Arrow and Hawkeye are awesome. But let’s not forget the original! Robin Hood was out there fighting for the underdog long before those heroes even existed. There have been so many different takes on the Robin Hood story, but the team behind the new MGM+ series actually drew inspiration from a surprising place: Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. It’s cool to see how different stories can influence each other, even across different universes!
ComicBook recently spoke with John Glenn and Jonathan English, the Executive Producers of Robin Hood, about the new series. When asked about what inspired them, Glenn mentioned a few sources, but specifically pointed to Batman Begins and Christopher Nolan’s talent for building a realistic and immersive world – one that feels like it could actually exist.
Glenn explained that both he and Jonathan were drawn to creating an origin story, inspired by shows like Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. He’s a big fan of Peaky Blinders, while Jonathan loves Vikings – a show Glenn also enjoys. What really appeals to them is how these shows build immersive worlds that feel real. Glenn particularly praised the high quality of writing in shows like Vikings and Peaky Blinders, calling it a definite influence on their work, even though the shows themselves are quite different.
With the release of Batman Begins in 2005, director Christopher Nolan began his highly acclaimed Batman trilogy, later continuing with The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. Batman Begins introduced Christian Bale as both Bruce Wayne and Batman, along with memorable villains like Scarecrow and Ra’s al Ghul. The film remains popular with both critics and audiences, currently boasting an 85% critics’ score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
When asked if the Robin Hood project might continue beyond a single installment, English indicated he envisions it as the start of a much larger, multi-season story. He explained they have many ideas for how the characters will grow and change over time, suggesting a long-term plan for the retelling.
This new take on the Robin Hood story significantly features Eleanor of Aquitaine, a crucial figure in the broader Robin Hood legend that’s often overlooked despite her connection to both Robin and the Sheriff. MGM+’s Robin Hood series aims to change that by exploring her role.
The story focuses on Rob and Marian, but we aimed for a stronger connection to historical accuracy. We created a wider historical backdrop, centering around Eleanor of Aquitaine, who hasn’t typically been part of Robin Hood tales. However, her sons – King John and Richard the Lionheart – are frequent characters in those stories, so we linked her to the narrative.
During the 12th century, Eleanor was imprisoned in England for opposing her husband, Henry II. This led English to realize that this remarkable and powerful historical figure could realistically be incorporated into the Robin Hood story. This discovery significantly expanded the possibilities for the narrative and allowed for a wider, more European setting.
Glenn explained that the new approach moves beyond the limited settings of previous stories, which were often confined to Sherwood Forest and Nottingham. They plan to continue broadening the scope of the world going forward.
Robin Hood will debut on MGM+ on Sunday, November 2, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
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2025-10-29 03:45