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Cate Blanchett to Play Maid Marian in Ridley's Nottingham?

by Alex Billington
February 8, 2009
Source: Telegraph

As we have reported plenty of times before, Ridley Scott's Nottingham has had quite a rocky road in its development. Last we heard in December, Ridley was trying to get it made sometime this year, but was without a leading lady, since Sienna Miller had dropped out as Maid Marian. So who will replace her? How about Cate Blanchett? The UK's Telegraph newspaper (via SlashFilm) has a scoop on the casting that comes from actor Mark Strong (whom we interviewed last year). Strong, who will play Sir Guy of Gisbourne in Nottingham, told the Telegraph on the red carpet that Blanchett was taking on the role.

Strong was attending the London Film Critics' Circle Awards when he revealed that, "I think Cate Blanchett is set to take the Maid Marian part. She is a wonderful actress and it would make it a much classier film if she was in it." There's no doubt about that, especially in comparison to Sienna Miller. This hasn't been officially confirmed by Universal or anyone else, but I'd certainly take Strong's word. As we already know, Nottingham also stars Russell Crowe as both Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Besides Crowe, Strong, and Blanchett, we're not sure who else is confirmed since the production schedule has changed.

Back in early December, producer Brian Grazer clarified what the dual roles for Crowe meant in relation to Nottingham. He also mentioned that Brian Helgeland was working on revising the script, which was causing all of the delays to begin with because it wasn't ready. As long as everything stays on track and Helgeland finishes a script that everyone likes, I expect Nottingham to go into production early this year with Cate Blanchett attached. Besides Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox, Blanchett doesn't have any other confirmed roles lined up that we know of, so it's likely this could be accurate. Good choice or not?

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Related categories: Casting, Movie News

Conrad

Cate Blanchett is certainly a good choice for Maid Marian. However, in the previous posts to this audacious casting regarding Crowe playing both the Sheriff and Robin Hood, I think this movie is going to stink outright regardless if Cate is in this or not. Scott and Crowe should relax. Too many movies together are fucking up each others regiment.
http://russelliracrowe.blogspot.com Layne

Blanchett's a great choice! What they needed all along was a strong actress who could hold her own with Russell Crowe. Getting one of Blanchett's caliber is a godsend. I'm looking forward to this movie!
Scott McHenry

Hmmm. . .
The Delightful Deviant

if she is in it i'll definitely go see it.
http://Firstshowing.net The_Phantom

I don't really think she would be the best choice IMO. She's good but I still think that there is someone better. Can't think of a another actress to come to mind. I'm also worried about how the movie is going to play out with Russell Crowe in a duel role, cause I was more interested in a revision of the modern tale. But who knows, Ridley is a great director with great vision.
http://www.youtube.com/snears Nick Sears

AH Come on! She'd nail the role! She would slayyyy the role. Like Crystal Skull, even if the movie isn't up to expectations, she'll still do a great job.
Janika

Since Sienna left, I pretty much figured that they would eventually cast Cate, but I honestly don't like the thought of her as Maid Marian. Don't get me wrong - Ms. Blanchett is a fine actress; I just don't SEE her as Maid Marian. Her roles usually seem like roles of renowned, "all-wise" leaders or something (like Elizabeth or Galadriel). Maid Marian shouldn't be like that - she needs to have a certain innocence about her that Cate Blanchett seems unable to obtain. Those are just my thoughts......
harrison

shes too old
Tim "CLoverfield"

......Yes!