How a 2016 blockbuster attempted to modernize the classic legend of Tarzan

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Legend of Tarzan aimed to give the iconic character a thoughtful, imperfect makeover. Directed by David Yates, the film moved the story from its traditional origins to a post-colonial narrative. Despite a massive $180 million budget and high-profile cast, the production faced significant financial and critical scrutiny.

The film follows John Clayton, the Earl of Greystoke, who has left his jungle life for a quiet existence in Britain with his wife, Jane. However, he is lured back to the Congo by George Washington Williams, who suspects that King Leopold II is secretly sanctioning slavery. The plot centers on the struggle against Captain Léon Rom, a Belgian official attempting to secure diamonds to fund a massive mercenary army.

Production was a massive undertaking that relied heavily on studio craft rather than location shooting. Principal photography took place over 70 days in 2014 at Leavesden Studios in the United Kingdom. To recreate the African landscape, the art department constructed seven distinct versions of the jungle, utilizing a mix of imported plants and sculpted trees. Only six weeks of background footage were filmed on location in Gabon using helicopters.

The film's reception was polarized. While audiences polled by CinemaScore awarded it an 'A-', critics were less impressed, with the film holding a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers frequently cited a sluggish pace and a generic plot, with some critics arguing that the film struggled to reconcile its attempt at political correctness with its underlying white savior narrative. The financial performance was equally debated; while the studio claimed the film broke even, analysts estimated a $40 million loss against its $356.7 million worldwide gross.

Alexander Skarsgård, who underwent a rigorous four-month training regimen to gain 24 pounds for the role, described his portrayal as a man slowly shedding his civilized layers to revert to an animalistic state. Despite the ambition behind this reimagining, the film remains a case study in the challenges of updating legacy intellectual property for a modern global audience.

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