Alyas Robin Hood described as "the Philippines' Arrow Knock Off"

The controversy surrounding GMA-7's teleserye Alyas Robin Hood has already made waves abroad as international news sites tackle the topic.

It will be recalled that when GMA-7 released its teaser of Alyas Robin Hood starring Dingdong Dantes, the star of the Hollywood series Arrow Stephen Amell also shared the video and accompanied it with a shocked emoji.

(Read: Did Dingdong Dantes's Alyas Robin Hood imitate Hollywood TV series Arrow?)


The American entertainment website Cinema Blend described Alyas Robin Hood as "the Philippines' Arrow Knock Off."

Arrow revolves around billionaire playboy/archer vigilante Oliver Queen who uses his bow and arrow to fight crime.

Laura Hurley of Cinema Blend wrote in her article: "It looks like a Filipino network is aiming to recreate some of the success of Arrow. The trailer for Alyas Robin Hood looks an awful lot like a trailer for Arrow, and Stephen Amell isn't above poking fun at it."

Another American website, www.morningnewsusa.com, also released an article titled "‘Arrow’ Copycat: Stephen Amell Mocks Philippines ‘Alyas Robin Hood,’ Filipino Fans ‘Ashamed.’"

Writer Debleena Sarkar pointed out that Stephen Amell "shared the trailer of a Filipino 'knock off' of the series titled ‘Alyas Robin Hood’ on Facebook with a blushing face emoji. This led many of his fans in the Philippines to apologise and be ashamed for the duplicity."

She continued, "The trailer of 'Alyas Robin Hood' looks uncannily similar to that of Arrow, and the lead star PH rip-off, Dingdong Dantes, wears a costume that looks almost identical to what Amell wore in Arrow."

GMA-7 VP for Drama ng GMA Entertainment Redgie Acuna-Magno has issued a statement regarding the wide differences between Alyas Robin Hood and the Hollywood series Arrow.

In an article published on gmanetwork.com, the GMA executive was quoted as saying: "Ang Alyas Robin Hood ay malayo sa plot ng Arrow. Ito ay kuwento ng isang lower-middle class lawyer na mapagbibintangan ng isang krimeng hindi niya ginawa. Sa kanyang paghahanap sa katotohanan, may mga matutulungan din siyang nangangailangan."

She pointed out the folkkore about Robin Hood has been retold in various ways throughout history.

"Robin Hood has had different reincarnations or versions in different countries.

"In Russia, there's the short novel on Alexander Pushkin whose Robin Hood character went by the name Black Eagle. In Brazil, there's the real life Limpaio, a true-life Robin Hood whose life is now a biography. In Japan, a Kabuki adaptation of Robin Hood was successfully mounted with the character of Nezumikozo as the name of the legendary hero. This is to name only a few. What we are now seeing here is a modern version of Robin Hood, an adaptation of a universal figure made inspirational and relevant to the Filipino audience."

In an exclusive interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Alyas Robin Hood concept developer and creative consultant Suzette Doctolero pointed out that Dingdong's character is a poor man who is a victim of social injustice and becomes a hero for the poor.


(Read: PEP EXCLUSIVE: Alyas Robin Hood consultant differentiates show as Arrow actor reacts to teaser)