Kevin Costner’s accent—or lack thereof—is usually the first thing people bring up when they talk about Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It’s a fair point. He’s a California guy playing a medieval English folklore hero. But if you look past the questionable vowels, the Prince of Thieves cast is actually one of the most chaotic, brilliant, and high-energy ensembles of the 1990s. It’s a movie that shouldn’t work as well as it does. You have a massive American star, a legendary British scene-chewer, and a soulful Morgan Freeman all sharing the same frame.
Honestly, 1991 was a wild year for cinema. People were obsessed with this movie. It was a massive box office hit, second only to Terminator 2 that year. Why? Because the casting director, Bonnie Timmermann, didn't just go for "period-accurate" actors. She went for personalities. She went for icons.
The Costner Factor and the Choice of Robin
At the time, Kevin Costner was the biggest movie star on the planet. He was coming off the massive success of Dances with Wolves. Putting him in green tights was a massive risk, but also a guaranteed ticket seller. Costner plays Robin of Loxley as a weary veteran of the Crusades. He’s tired. He’s cynical.
Critics ripped him apart for his accent. Or, rather, his habit of starting a scene sounding vaguely British and ending it sounding like he was from Kansas. But looking back, does it actually matter? Costner brings a specific kind of American "everyman" grit to the role that makes Robin feel accessible. He isn’t some untouchable mythological figure; he’s just a guy trying to get his land back and save his friends.
Alan Rickman: The Sheriff Who Stole the Show
If we’re being real, the Prince of Thieves cast belongs to Alan Rickman. Period. He played the Sheriff of Nottingham with such delicious, unhinged malice that he reportedly turned down the role twice because he thought the script was "terrible." He only took it when he was given carte blanche to ad-lib and rewrite his own lines.
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The result? Pure cinematic gold.
Rickman’s Sheriff is the perfect foil to Costner’s earnestness. He’s funny, terrifying, and deeply weird. Remember the line about "canceling Christmas"? That was Rickman. The moment where he threatens to cut someone’s heart out with a spoon because "it's dull, you twit, it'll hurt more"? Also Rickman. He knew exactly what kind of movie he was in. He wasn't trying to win an Oscar for historical realism; he was trying to entertain the hell out of the audience.
Morgan Freeman and the Azeem Connection
Then you have Morgan Freeman. His character, Azeem, wasn’t in the original Robin Hood legends. He was a new addition for this 1991 version, a Moorish warrior who follows Robin back to England to repay a life debt. Freeman brings a much-needed gravity to the film. While everyone else is running around the woods, Azeem is using a telescope and gunpowder, showing the audience that the world outside of England was actually quite technologically advanced.
The chemistry between Costner and Freeman is the heart of the movie. It’s a classic "buddy cop" dynamic but with swords and bows. Azeem provides the wisdom and the technical skill that Robin lacks.
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How the Prince of Thieves Cast Redefined the Legend
Before this movie, Robin Hood was often portrayed as a jolly, singing hero in bright tunics. Errol Flynn defined the role for decades. But the 1991 Prince of Thieves cast took things in a darker, grittier direction. This was a Middle Ages filled with mud, witchcraft, and genuine political corruption.
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Maid Marian
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio’s Marian is a far cry from the "damsel in distress" we usually see. She’s tough. She’s skeptical. When Robin first meets her, she nearly takes his head off with a sword. Mastrantonio had already proven her chops in The Abyss and Scarface, and she brings a certain steeliness to the role of Marian that makes her feel like a partner to Robin, not just a prize to be won.
The Supporting Merry Men
The rest of the forest dwellers were equally well-cast, though some got more screen time than others.
- Nick Brimble as Little John: He’s huge. He’s imposing. The bridge fight scene between him and Costner remains one of the best choreographed moments in the film.
- Michael McShane as Friar Tuck: He provides the comic relief, but with a bit of a bite. He’s a man of God who loves ale and a good scrap.
- Christian Slater as Will Scarlett: This was a bit of a "teen heartthrob" move. Slater was huge in the early 90s, and his portrayal of the resentful, angry Will Scarlett added a layer of family drama that the story usually skips.
The Secret Cameo Everyone Forgot
You can't talk about the Prince of Thieves cast without mentioning the ending. If you haven't seen it in a while, the final scene features a surprise appearance by Sean Connery as King Richard the Lionheart. Connery was only on set for two days and was paid $250,000 for his work—which he reportedly donated to charity. Having the "original" cinematic Robin Hood (from Robin and Marian) show up to bless the new one was a brilliant bit of meta-casting that felt like a passing of the torch.
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Why This Specific Lineup Works Decades Later
Nostalgia is a powerful thing, but it’s not just that. The movie has a specific energy. It’s a "kitchen sink" approach to filmmaking. You have 80s-style action, 90s-style brooding, and a cast that is clearly having a blast.
Director Kevin Reynolds struggled with the production—there were rumors of clashes with Costner—but somehow, the friction translated into a film that feels alive. It doesn't feel like a museum piece. It feels like a blockbuster.
Fact vs. Fiction in Casting
One of the common misconceptions about the Prince of Thieves cast is that the actors were trying to be historically accurate. They weren't. The film is a romanticized, Hollywood version of the story. Geraldine McEwan’s portrayal of the witch Mortianna is proof of that. She’s terrifying and bizarre, leaning into the supernatural elements of the script that grounded the movie in a sort of "dark fantasy" realm rather than a history textbook.
Actionable Insights for Movie Buffs
If you're planning a rewatch or just diving into the lore of this 1991 classic, here are a few things to keep an eye on that you might have missed during your first viewing:
- Check the Stunt Work: Kevin Costner did a surprising amount of his own stunt work, including the scene where he swings into the trees.
- Listen to the Score: Michael Kamen’s score is iconic. It was actually reused in the opening logos for Morgan Creek Productions for years afterward.
- Watch Rickman’s Eyes: In every scene he’s in, Alan Rickman is doing something weird with his face or his eyes. He is constantly finding ways to make the Sheriff look bored by his own cruelty.
- The Geography is Impossible: At one point, Robin and Azeem land at the White Cliffs of Dover and Robin says they'll be at his father's home by nightfall. That's a 150-mile journey on foot. Just roll with it.
To appreciate this film, you have to accept it for what it is: a high-budget, star-studded adventure that prioritizes entertainment over accuracy. The Prince of Thieves cast was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment where different acting styles clashed and created something memorable. Whether it's Freeman’s dignity, Rickman’s madness, or Costner’s earnest heroism, there is a reason we are still talking about this version of Robin Hood over thirty years later.
If you want to dive deeper into the production, look for the extended "Director's Cut" versions. They add more context to the Sheriff's backstory and make the relationship between the characters feel a bit more earned. It changes the pacing, but for a fan of the cast, it's worth the extra runtime.