Russell Crowe Begins Filming ‘Robin Hood’
Last month we got our first look at Russell Crowe all dolled up as Robin Hood for his new film directed by Ridley Scott which is due out at the end of this year or early next year. Today we get our first look at filming on the movie which is currently in production in London, England:
Had it not been for our dwindling woodlands, the film might have been made where, legend has it, Robin Hood and his merry men once lived. As it happens, the only location nowadays deemed leafy enough to host Ridley Scott’s epic film based on the folk hero was some way south. As these extraordinary first pictures from the set of his star-studded £110 million movie Nottingham show, the Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire from medieval times has been recreated with extraordinary attention to detail on a wooded estate 150 miles away in the depths of Surrey. The film is already being heralded the most hotly anticipated blockbuster of next year and Scott and the lead actor, Russell Crowe, must be hoping to recreate a film of such Oscar-winning potential as Gladiator which they cleaned up with at the Academy Awards in 2001. Filming began this week with the principal cast, including Crowe as Robin and Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian on set for the first time … The film is understood to delve into the dark side of the fabled woodland folk hero. Scott directed Crowe to a Best Actor Oscar in Gladiator and the film also won Best Picture. Scott is also employing Janty Yates, the same costume designer who won an Oscar for Gladiator on the new film. It is perhaps no surprise that the director also shot much of the Roman epic in the same Surrey woodland as he is using for this film. On-set sources report Crowe, 45, has done none of his usual hellraising on set or off. Indeed he has been the picture of health and sobriety. Stories perhaps cooked up by locals of the fiery actor’s hellraising antics at local village pubs have so far proven unfounded. Instead Crowe has been spotted mountain-biking between scenes to slim down, he has been using a gym in his on-set trailer and he has been perfecting his horseriding at weekends. He was recently reported to have lost as much as four stones in weight for the part. Sienna Miller, 27, had been due to play Maid Marian. But producers were said to have feared her slim physique would make Crowe seem overweight during intimate scenes. Instead, Miss Blanchett, 39, was offered the job. Production on the set was halted a few days this week due to torrential rain, and is also intermittently brought to the halt by the constant passing of Chinook military helicopters from a local based training before going to Bosnia. Producers at the happily-titled Merry Men Films have been making up time with night shoots and the film is expected to be released in 12 months’ time.
To be totally honest, I’m not a big fan of Robin Hood. I don’t even think I’ve ever watched an entire Robin Hood movie all the way thru (tho, I do know that I’ve seen portions of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves … or mebbe not, perhaps I’m just remembering that annoying ass video (Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams which featured many scenes from the film and that played 24/7 on MTV in the early 90’s). That said, I am a big fan of Cate Blanchett and I’d see any film she is in. It really sounds like Ridley Scott is going for another Oscar with this production … but I’m not sure that Robin Hood is made of the same mettle as Gladiator was … we shall see.
[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin; Source]
Tags: 'Robin Hood', Russell Crowe
RSS
Feedburner
May 30th, 2009 at 7:49 am
I’ve seen Kevin Costners, Disneys, Cary Elwes, the really really really old one….and probably a few others…aren’t there enough versions of Robin Hood? Do we really need another?
May 30th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I’m so not feeling this remake of Robin Hood. I feel like Russell Crowe is a bit of diva (super talented actor, but too much of a pain to be worth it) or if I’m tired of Robin Hood remakes in general, but either way, I’m just not really interested in seeing this one.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Cate Blanchett is a god in my book. I loves her. I don’t really feel the same for Russell Crowe. This movie sounds pretty cheesy and I am not sure if i would watch it in the theater. I am sure I will catch it on HBO one weekend thou.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Come on, Trent! Ya gotta go out and rent Prince of Thieves. It really *is* a good movie. Alan Rickman is awesome.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I’m wary of a new robin hood film … or it’s that I don’t like russell crowe! the only robin hood film I like is the old, old one, with errol flynn and maureen o’hara.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Trent, I agree with _M_. You have to see Prince of Thieves for Rickman alone. He makes the movie.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Did you ever watch the Disney Robin Hood? The animated movie? Its so classic and awesome!
May 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am
If Crowe and Scott are involved in a remake of Robin Hood, you can be sure it won’t be some dull old remake with the same plot. If it was, Crowe wouldn’t have signed on. So, all you haters should just hold your tongues until the product hits the theaters. I think you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Sienna Miler is that much slimmer than Cate Blanchett? And after Crowe’s lost 4 stone (56 lbs!) his weight is still a concern? I’m thinking SM lost the part because CB’s heavier–in talent.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Trent: Prince of Thieves = 20 years ago-Kevin Costner’s wet, naked ass! A must see! :). And you have to love the Disney fox version…-
May 31st, 2009 at 8:23 am
You should watch the recent BBC series Robin Hood. It is excellent and way better than any of the movies out there!!
June 1st, 2009 at 11:52 am
Prince of Thieves is one of my fav movies of all time. And the soundtrack is ICREDIBLE! I am pumped for the new film, but I am NOT a fan of Cate :(