English
A bold reimagining of the Robin Hood legend is heading to the American Film Market, with The Lie of Sherwood Forest set to launch sales through Logical Pictures International and Protagonist Pictures.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Legend
German production company augenschein is behind the project. Director Patrick Vollrath, known for 7500 and Subversion, will helm the film. Production begins on November 9.
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The story reimagines Robin Hood as a gritty, grounded fight for survival, loyalty and justice. According to the official synopsis, a young woman deceives Robin Hood and his companions into rescuing her captured brother. The mission quickly spirals into a dangerous heist, and as loyalties fracture and hidden motives surface, the outlaws must face the real consequences of their choices.
Harris Kauffman wrote the screenplay, based on a story by Joachim Hedén and Patrick Vollrath.
Star-Studded Cast Assembled
Thomasin McKenzie, known for The Testament of Ann Lee, leads the cast. She is joined by Finn Cole of Peaky Blinders and Last Breath, and Antony Starr, widely recognised from The Boys and The Covenant.
Also joining the cast are Smylie Bradwell, Brian Vernel and Richard Durden, who appeared in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
Industry Voices Back the Project
Dave Bishop, CEO of Protagonist Pictures, expressed strong confidence in the film. “Patrick Vollrath will deliver an electrifying cinematic vision to a story that turns mythology on its head, combining gripping set pieces with genuine moral complexity,” he said.
Andrei Kamarowsky, head of international at Logical Pictures Group, highlighted the originality of the premise. “One young woman’s desperate deception sets Robin Hood and his outlaws on a dangerous journey that will ultimately reshape the myth,” he said. He added that the film brings fresh emotional stakes and unrelenting tension while staying true to the spirit of the original folklore.
Producer Jonas Katzenstein noted that the team’s earlier collaboration with Vollrath on 7500 was a defining moment for augenschein. “We’ve been excited to find the right opportunity to work together again,” he said. Fellow producer Maximilian Leo added that the new film builds on the tense, visceral action that made 7500 memorable, taking it to a new level within the world of Robin Hood.
Production and Financing
The film is produced by augenschein’s Maximilian Leo, Jonas Katzenstein and Daniel Sonnabend. It is a co-production with ZDF and receives funding from Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, the German Federal Film Fund, the German Federal Film Board, German Films, the European Investment Fund and Creative Europe Media.
Augenschein and Logical Pictures Group will finance the project together. Logical Pictures International will co-handle sales alongside Protagonist Pictures. Executive producers include Protagonist’s Bishop, George Hamilton and James Pugh, as well as Frédéric Fiore, Ryan Wickers and Kamarowsky for Logical Pictures Group.
