Kevin Costner Reflects on Fame Before Robin Hood Release

LONDON, UK — In the early 1990s, Kevin Costner‘s career took a significant turn after the success of his Oscar-winning film, Dances with Wolves. The actor quickly climbed to A-list stardom, gaining a reputation as a leading man adored by audiences. However, as Costner prepared for the release of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991, he faced challenges that came with newfound fame.

Costner, known for his roles in The Untouchables, Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams, expressed his concerns during an interview with the New York Times. He was particularly uncomfortable with how Warner Bros marketed him as a sex symbol, focusing on a controversial scene where Maid Marian, played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, glimpses Costner’s character swimming naked.

“There was a reason for that scene that’s not there anymore,” Costner explained, referring to the deeper narrative intent regarding Robin Hood’s character. He felt the context was lost in the film’s marketing campaign. “It seems maybe gratuitous,” he said, emphasizing that the scene was meant to illustrate the physical and emotional scars Robin sustained from his struggles.

Costner claimed that viewers missed the point of the scene, where Robin’s scars portrayed his experience and transformation. He was frustrated that audiences were only drawn to the titillating aspect of the scene, which was misrepresented by the studio. Ironically, the nudity was achieved through a body double, not Costner himself.

As his popularity skyrocketed, Costner found it difficult to deal with his new public image. He referred to the sudden change as a “quantum leap” in his fame, leading to experiences that were hard to predict. The actor remarked on his discomfort with being viewed as a pin-up, a status that clung to him despite his efforts to showcase the depth of his characters.

The pressures of fame were evident during his interview, as Costner responded with irritation to a group of female fans asking for pictures. “OK,” he relented, “but can’t you see I’m being interviewed?!” Costner’s struggle with his rising star power highlights the complexity of his public persona amidst the glitz of Hollywood.