Few films blend swashbuckling adventure, medieval drama, and iconic one-liners like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). Starring Kevin Costner as the legendary outlaw and Alan Rickman as the deliciously wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, this box-office smash remains a cult favorite. But behind the flaming arrows and Bryan Adams ballads lie some astonishing behind-the-scenes stories. Here are seven incredible facts you never knew about this Hollywood classic!
1. Alan Rickman Almost Turned Down His Iconic Role – Twice!
Believe it or not, Alan Rickman rejected the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham twice before finally accepting—but only after securing creative freedom to make the character his own. His over-the-top, scene-stealing performance (including the infamous “I’ll cut your heart out with a spoon!” line, which he improvised) became the film’s highlight .
2. Bryan Adams’ Hit Song Was Almost Rejected
The power ballad “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” spent 16 weeks at No. 1—a record at the time. But director Kevin Reynolds initially hated it, calling it “too soft.” Producer Kevin Costner insisted on keeping it, and the song went on to win a Grammy and an Oscar nomination .
3. Friar Tunk Gained 35 Pounds for the Role
Actor Michael McShane (Friar Tuck) took method acting to the next level by gaining 35 pounds during filming—mostly by eating pies on set! His jolly, ale-loving portrayal remains one of the film’s most endearing performances .
4. Sean Connery’s Secret Cameo
Sean Connery made an uncredited appearance as King Richard the Lionheart in the final scene—but only after turning down the role of Robin’s father. He agreed to work for just one day, donating his $250,000 fee to a Scottish hospital .
5. The Film Was Rushed Into Production
With rival Robin Hood projects in development, Prince of Thieves had only 10 weeks of pre-production. Costner arrived just three days before filming began, and some roles weren’t even cast yet! The chaotic schedule led to uneven accents and last-minute script changes .
6. Sherwood Forest Wasn’t Actually Sherwood
The lush woodland scenes were filmed in Burnham Beeches (Buckinghamshire) and Aysgarth Falls (Yorkshire)—nowhere near the real Sherwood Forest. Meanwhile, Nottingham Castle was actually the medieval walls of Carcassonne, France .
7. Johnny Depp Could’ve Been Will Scarlett
Before Christian Slater took the role of Will Scarlett, it was offered to a young Johnny Depp, who turned it down. Slater later improvised the line “F** me, he cleared it!”* during a stunt—and the director kept it in .
Why This Film Still Matters
Despite mixed reviews (Costner’s accent remains infamous), Prince of Thieves was a box-office juggernaut, earning $390 million worldwide. Rickman’s Sheriff, Freeman’s wise Azeem, and Mastrantonio’s fierce Marian keep fans coming back. And let’s not forget—this was the film that gave us the spoon threat and a theme song we still can’t escape!
Where to Watch: Stream on Netflix or catch it on BBC iPlayer. Ready for a rewatch? “Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans—no more merciful beheadings—and call off Christmas!” .
Did we miss your favorite fact? Share your thoughts on Rickman’s villainy or Costner’s accent in the comments!
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Hi, I’m KABIR, a passionate blogger & web story creator dedicated to sharing insightful content on entertainment, sports, trends, science, history etc. With a focus on quality, authenticity, and value, I aim to inform, inspire, and engage readers through every post. Welcome to my corner of the web.