ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS

​jD's breakthrough came with “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” a script he wrote on spec and sold to 20th Century Fox and Brooksfilms. jD was instrumental in its production. He wrote all the lyrics for Hummel Mann's music and contributed to set design, wardrobe, and just about every aspect of filmmaking. He also convinced Mel Brooks to cast Cary Elwes as Robin Hood, and a then-unknown Dave Chappelle as Achoo.

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Mel Brooks praised jD saying:

 

“jD is one of the most amazing comedy minds I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.” - Mel Brooks.

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"RH: MIT," an irreverent comedy, became a cult classic. Margot Robbie named the movie her childhood favorite, having watched it “...50 times.”

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After sort of graduating from university, jD moved out to Los Angeles in a junker car full of crap, a pocket full of cash (that would be around $100), a head full of dreams, and his girlfriend.

 

In LA jD wrote on spec, sold "Robin Hood: Men In Tights" to Twentieth Century Fox & BrooksFilms.

He was heavily involved in pre-production, production, and casting. He is proud that he was able to convince Mel Brooks, the director, to hire Cary Elwes to play Robin Hood, and the then unknown Dave Chappelle to play Achew.

 

jD had helped convince Mel to hire Cary. After days of trying, and finally understanding that Mel was nervous because he wanted a superstar and Cary was a star, a star jD wanted badly, he suggested to Mel to call Carl Reiner because he and Mel were very close friends and Carl directed "The Princess Bride."  Carl said in eight words what jD had not thought to say in hundreds of words. "

 

Cary Elwes was born to play Robin Hood." - Carl Reiner.

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I am forever thankful to Carl for that.

 

Although JD is very proud of the cast that came to be, he could not convince Mel Brooks to hire many others, including Sir Sean Connery, who wanted to play...Queen Richard. No joke.

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​​Cary Elwes and jD in a never-before-seen scene from Robin Hood: Men in Tights

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​Margot Robbie said in a recent interview that her favorite movie growing up was "RH: MIT" (he interview is longer if you want to Google it)

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