Director Michael Sarnoski is set to release his latest film, "The Death of Robin Hood," which offers a starkly different portrayal of the legendary outlaw.

The movie, opening Friday, stars Hugh Jackman as a "murderous, thuggish Robin," depicted as a figure long past his prime and hunted by those he once terrorized.

Sarnoski, known for "Pig" and "A Quiet Place: Day One," explained that his interest in the legend stemmed from the ballad about Robin Hood's death, which presented a more human and quiet end for the folkloric character.

This inspired him to explore Robin Hood's last days, treating him as a "haunted, guilt-stricken figure whose criminality is a matter of survival, not charity." This interpretation aligns more with films like "Unforgiven" than the traditional heroic narratives.

Research into medieval history further shaped Sarnoski's vision, leading him to consider what a real medieval bandit would be like, moving away from romanticized versions.

He noted that early historical mentions describe Robin Hood as a "murderous cutthroat," which informed his decision to cast Jackman, who Sarnoski believes can convey the necessary viciousness while still allowing for a sense of potential redemption.

Produced for approximately $20 million, "The Death of Robin Hood" was filmed over 30 days in remote Northern Ireland.

The movie features action sequences primarily in its first 30 minutes, including a fight scene in a burning farmhouse.

The remainder of the film is more meditative, following Robin as he recovers from wounds in a priory, nursed by a mysterious healer played by Jodie Comer.

Their evolving relationship takes an unexpected turn.

Sarnoski emphasized his desire to create a "weird and unique" film within a responsible budget, rather than a large-scale action-adventure.

He wrote the script on spec, and the project was packaged with Jackman and Comer before A24 joined, eventually embracing the film's distinctive title.

This approach mirrors his previous work on "Pig," which was praised for its atmospheric and assured style.

Looking ahead, Sarnoski is also adapting the video game "Death Stranding" into a live-action film for A24.

He recently submitted a second draft of the script and hopes to shoot the movie in Iceland and Northern Ireland next year.

He aims for the adaptation to feel "big, but also offbeat and character driven," creating his own story within the game's universe while including some overlapping characters for fans.

Following this, Sarnoski plans to work on a smaller, personal project, aiming to balance his career between studio and independent filmmaking.