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The Death of Robin Hood star Murray Bartlett says hardly anyone recognized him on set... and it was mostly because his character is completely concealed for the majority of the film.
"The character that I play was so beautiful on the page, and that was just gorgeous. I think one of the most difficult things is I'm covered up most of the time," Bartlett tells GamesRadar+. "You just see my eyes. I think the most difficult thing was coming to set not in costume, and people were like, 'Who's that guy?' Nobody knew who I was. So a lack of community, I think, was the most challenging."
Continues Bartlett: "Like, 'Someone remove the guy at the tea table!' Yeah. I'm the Leper. I'm the Leper, you guys! But no, it was such a beautiful experience."
Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, the movie sees an aged Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman) and his partner Little John (Bill Skarsgard) reflect upon their long life of violent crime, which all culminates in a terrifying battle that nearly claims Robin's life. He's taken to a priory, secluded somewhere on a British isle, where he is looked after by Jodie Comer's Brigid, a woman who has devoted her life to God and in service of others.
It's there at the priory that he meets the Leper, who is covered in rags from head to toe in order to keep others from not only catching his illness (which was thought in the 13th century to be highly contagious) but from seeing the sores that are eating away at his body. The rags make the Leper seem pretty menacing at first, but he's actually a sweet guy nearing the end of his life. Funny enough, it's not the first time Bartlett has played a tragic character with a terminal disease, as he starred in the Emmy-nominated episode of The Last of Us season 1, 'Long, Long Time' as Frank, the ailing partner of Nick Offerman's Bill.
The Death of Robin Hood hits US theaters on June 19 and releases in UK cinemas on September 4. For more on what to watch, check out our guide to the other most exciting upcoming movies on the way.
