Other Depictions of Will Scarlet
In both the 1938 film, starring Errol Flynn, and 1991 TV movie, Will Scarlet is portrayed as Robin's friend and companion (almost a squire) from the beginning, and is a witty, humorous character. In the 1938 film, his given name is "Will o' Gamwell". This character, played by English actor Patric Knowles, is quite possibly merged with Alan-a-Dale, as Will plays a lute and sings in one scene. In the 2006 BBC TV series, the same role is given to the character named Much.
In the classic 1950s series of The Adventures of Robin Hood, the character was played by Ronald Howard and later by Paul Eddington. When first met he and Robin Hood get into a fight with each other before Scarlet escapes from the Sheriff's men. He was initially depicted as a bearded yet youthful gentleman. Fun-loving, adventurous and a roguish womanising boaster. He was however also a loyal and experienced swordsman. This version of Will's real name was Will O'Winchester. In the first two episodes, a cynical Will Scathelock is the original leader of the Sherwood outlaws. On his death bed, Scathelock tells the outlaws to follow Robin Hood.
In the UK TV series Robin of Sherwood (1984-6), Ray Winstone portrays a very different version of Will Scarlet. Rather than the stereotypical merry sidekick, this interpretation gave us a much bleaker, more passionate character. An ex-soldier who fought in France, he is shown as the most violent of the outlaws, having turned to murder after powerlessly witnessing the brutalisation and trampling to death of his wife at the hands of Normans. With a burning hatred of the Sheriff of Nottingham's men – and a lack of respect for all authority – he tells Robin he has changed his name from Scathelocke to Scarlet having killed three men in revenge.
In Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Christian Slater plays Will Scarlet, whom the film depicts as the illegitimate half-brother of Robin Hood. (Many older traditions make him a kinsman of Robin's, usually a cousin or nephew.) Robin Hood's father did not acknowledge Scarlet, and instead doted on Robin, leading Scarlet to become resentful of Robin Hood. He initially appears as a treacherous character, but later finds redemption when he helps the Merry Men rescue Maid Marian and several others from the Sheriff of Nottingham.
In the Mel Brooks movie Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Will is shown as Little John's best friend. His full name is Will Scarlet O'Hara; he's from Georgia. Played by Matthew Porretta.
In the 2002 video game Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood, Will Scarlet is shown as Robin's troublesome nephew that rebels against the sheriff constantly and as a result of this is put in prison. He is later rescued by Robin Hood and added to the band of merry men. He is shown to be extremely violent, with the ability to strangle enemies from behind or finish them off when they are down, and it is implied that he wears red so no one can see the blood stains.
In the BBC 2006 series Robin Hood, Will Scarlet, portrayed by Harry Lloyd, is an eighteen year old carpenter whom Robin saves from hanging. He is a brooding, quiet character who is often one of the most sensible and moral of Robin's band of men. The youngest of Robin's men, Will fights skilfully with two axes. In this series, Will appears to be best friends with Alan-a-Dale (Joe Armstrong) although this is put in doubt when Alan is unmasked as a traitor and admits to love Djaq (played by Anjali Jay).
In "Princess of Thieves", Will Scarlet (played by Crispin Letts) is said to be Robin Hood's loyal friend and companion, as well as his brother (Robin's daughter Gwen refers to Will as "Uncle").
In the 2010 film Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott, Will Scarlet is played by actor Scott Grimes and is a Welsh Archer serving alongside Robin and Allan A'Dayle.
In a 2010 children's book 'The Time Hunters', Will Scarlet appeared as a main character and was living with a time traveller in modern-day Addlebury in northwest England. He was portrayed as a noble man and skilful archer, but sensitive about the popularity of the fictitious Robin Hood.
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