By Mark Pollard | Published December 15, 2009

The first teaser trailer and new images have arrived for Ridley Scott’s upcoming period actioner ROBIN HOOD, starring Russell Crowe in the title role and Cate Blanchett as Lady Marion.

Produced by Universal, the film was originally going to be called NOTTINGHAM and tell a revisionist version of the popular tale where Crowe would play a sympathetic Sheriff of Nottingham. At the time Sienna Miller was cast as Marion. This was back in early 2008. Production was subsequently put on hold and Scott, unhappy with the script, had it re-written to more closely resemble the Robin Hood myth as it is popularly known today. Crowe ended up as Robin Hood, Matthew Macfadyen took over as a less sympathetic Sheriff of Nottingham and Blanchett stepped into the Marion role after Sienna backed out.

That brings us up to date with the film now in post-production and headed for released on May 14.

With the rising popularity of historically accurate European sword fighting, I’m hoping Scott and his stunt team deliver some quality fight work. We do know that Crowe went through extensive training in archery, medieval weapons and fighting. According to a source cited by the Herald Sun back in February, this will be the most period-accurate depiction of Robin Hood ever made.

With a strong lead cast and knowing Scott’s track record of creating great historical action in films like KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, GLADIATOR and THE DUELLISTS, I think this film has a good chance of delivering the goods.

Source: The Courier-Mail, Herald Sun, JoBlo.com

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Ridley Scott  •  Robin Hood (2010)  •  Russell Crowe  •  upcoming  •  Videos