Little John (Prince of Thieves)

John Little, also known as Little John, was a secondary hero from the 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Little John was the husband of Fanny, and the father of several children, including Wulf. He eventually was forced into hiding by the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham, his wife told the sheriff's men that he had died the previous winter when they came looking for him.

Upon returning from the crusades, Robin of Loxley kept Guy of Gisbourne from killing Wulf. A short time later Robin had a chance to meet Wulf's father when they came to a river that they needed to cross. Little John demanded the medallion Robin was wearing that originally belonged to his father. The pair fought for the right of passage, when Little John fell into a pool of water Robin was able to use the fact that he couldn't swim to his advantage and got him to yield. Returning Robin's medallion to him Little John told Robin that he had balls of solid rock.

Little John then introduced Robin, Azeem, and Duncan to the rest of the men forced into hiding by the Sheriff. Included was Will Scarlet, whom Little John noted was full of piss and wind. Despite their situation Little John said that the forest was the best they could hope for, it was a place where they were all kings. Robin soon decided to fight the sheriff and his allies. Little John became one of Robin's chief lieutenants, accompanying him on many raids.

While they were hiding in the forest Fanny gave birth to his youngest son. It was a difficult birth, and were in not for Azeem both mother and child would have died. With Azeem's help Fanny was able to deliver a baby boy, which an overjoyed Little John introduced to the camp.

During a Celt attack that happened a short time later Robin helped Little John rescue Fanny from a burning bridge. When the captured Will Scarlet was released and returned to the camp Little John kept Will from killing Robin Hood. Will then opened up, that he resented Robin because Robin's anger drove their father and Will's mother apart. Robin embraced Will Scarlet and said he would stand besides his brother to the end, and Little John confirmed that he was in on the rescue attempt as well. Fanny also joined, despite Little John's objections.

During the rescue attempt Fanny and Little John helped dispose of castle guards stationed on the walls. When the sheriff's men started hanging their prisoners, starting with Wulf Little John rushed the gallows. Using his strength he pushed the gallows over far enough to stop his son and the others from being strangled to death.