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Ridley Scott's Nottingham Will Only Have One Robin Hood

by Alex Billington
February 17, 2009
Source: MTV

The one reason that people are so familiar with Ridley Scott's Nottingham is because it was once revealed that Russell Crowe would be playing both Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham. It was even confirmed by producer Brian Grazer at one point and it sounded like, with some screenplay trickery, it could work in the end. Good news - that entire idea has been scrapped! MTV talked with director Ridley Scott very recently and got a much needed update. First things first, they've renamed it to just Robin Hood, instead of Nottingham, which will clear up some of that confusion. Secondly, he's been working on the script.

"[Crowe as both Robin and the Sheriff of Nottingham] was an idea so far back, way back when at the time I had this proposed to me, and I read it and thought, 'I don't really know what it does for it, but it's alright'," Scott told MTV. "It is better to simply have the evolution of a character called Robin Hood, who will come out of a point in the Crusades which is the end." So if the dual role is no longer a part of the current version of Nottingham, or Robin Hood, what is the story about? Well, let's start at the top. "Robin Hood is in the army of Richard Coeur de Lion, he is a bowman in the army of Richard Coeur de Lion." So far so good.

Scott goes on to explain that the ever-so-important Sheriff of Nottingham is actually not important at all. "The Sheriff of Nottingham is always a kind of an amusing character in most of the movies, who represents the hierarchy in the story at that point. The hierarchy and the wealthy always ruled over the under class, and fundamentally that doesn't change, because Robin Hood is actually the person who finally - in terms of the overall classical idea of the film - will help the poor, probably taking from the rich." So instead of the Sheriff, it's the "history of the time" and the "entire country" who will become the villain.

"It is from France. It is the French," he explains. "The villain is much bigger in that sense; much more important, and much more dangerous." What the heck is going on here? I thought he was trying to improve the script, not make it worse! According to history, William the Conqueror killed King Harold II in 1066 and took over the entire country of England. And apparently that idea is the villain more than any individual person. Not sure that'll work, but I guess we should just have faith in Ridley Scott. Although his past few movies haven't been big hitters, I'm still confident that Scott and Crowe will pull it off. Right?

Explore tags: Movie News, Opinions

Darunia

Did you know that originally, Kingdom Of Heaven was supposed to be a Trilogy, with the 3rd chapter being about Orlando Bloom's character becoming Robin Hood. It would've rocked.
Richard

Who knows, if its just Robin Hood again then I think Prince of Thieves is just fine.
jman571

Man this is not going to come even close to the greatness that was Robin Hood: Men in Tights. When will Ridley Scott just go back to making another modern-day action flick. I thought Blackhawk Down had some of the most unfreaking believable action, and I would LOVE to see another well-down modern war movie.
Zachy

HE REALLY TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORST. FIRSTLY, THE IDEA OF THE ORIGIN OF ROBIN HOOD IS GENERALLY A GREAT IDEA AND ULTIMATELY INTRIGUING. HOWEVER! THE TITLE ROBIN HOOD IS REALLY LAME... AT LEAST I BELIEVE SO. "NOTTINGHAM" IS MUCH MORE OF A CLASSY TITLE FOR A FILM THAT, IN MY PERSPECTIVE, IS OBVIOUSLY GEARED TOWARDS A DRAMA PIECE- RATHER THAN ACTION OR ADVENTURE. SECONDLY, THE VILLAIN IDEA IS A GOOD APPROACH BUT IT WOULD REALLY BE BETTER IF THE FILM FOCUSED ON A SINGLE PERSON. PLUS, HE REALLY DID NOT ELABORATE THAT FAR INTO HIS PITCH. I'M NOT SOLD AT ALL. RIDLEY, YOU NEED TO HAND THIS SCRIPT TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO WRITE THIS STORY.
jono

big pile of shit enough said
Mike

Wasnt nottingham supposed to be from the sheriff's perspective, with robin hood as the bad guy? THAT sounded like an interesting take on the tale, I dont want to see more of the same robin hood story. Sounding worse with each announcement.
joe

I was hoping for a new take on the Robin Hood character. I'm sure the movie will be good though.
RoarSaysAlex

we've all seen this movie and heard this story before! IM SO SO SICK OF REMAKES!!!!! i agree with #6 though the original idea was pretty killer. but if its just robbin all over again im pretty disappointed still Scott's directing is amazing so it'll be worth watching... maybe
http://Firstshowing.net The_Phantom

Meh. It's sounds like a good idea. But I liked the story when it was more personal. a feud between the two. And based on the town and the outskirts of the woods, not a whole country. Like perhaps have Russell Crowe be the sheriff and have another actor like, Ben Foster play Robin Hood. And I have to admit I liked the title, "Nottingham" a lot better.
dacfan

Anytime Crowe stabs someone in the face with a sword its going to be a good movie.
ThatGuy

He should make it Robin Hood vs Aliens
Ben

I think its a good idea to make the statement that it was the history of the time that was the biggest villain and not actual individuals. However what is inspiring about the tale is the challenge of status quo to bring about change and equality.
The Hornet King

Sounds like it has become a much more conventional story, which is very disappointing. I was really hoping for a new, original take on the Robin Hood legend, whereas this sounds like it will just rehash the story we've seen before. C'mon Ridley, push yourself, push the audience.
one

First off, #1 No Kingdom of Heaven was not ever going to be a trilogy and NO Bloom was not going to become Robin Hood. Stop reading tabloid crap ad get some real information. #4- Ridley doesn't write, he helps develop the stories....the only movie he has ever written was his first directing project "Boy on a Bicycle" All of you need to get your facts straight before you start attacking people and their ideas, cause my guess is none of you have made even a box office flop or indie film to even put you on ANYONE's radar-so in the long run your opinion is just smoke. I worked for Scottfree for a year. Ridley can/will pull it off. Just because his last couple movies weren't "box office giants" doesn't mean that his films aren't amazing. Ridley is one of the few film greats left in Hollywood. Hollywood has become all about the "Cranks" and "Friday the 13th" remakes which are terrible films. Because people love those films so much, very little light is shed on the great films. When this film reaches the big screen, it will be amazing, even if it doesn't take #1.
Tim "Cloverfield"

WOW! Great comments #14! I could not agree with you more. I have the upmost faith in Mr. Scott. I was defending the early reports about R.Crowe playing both parts......BECAUSE of Mr. Scott. This Director is one of the few in this medium that keeps getting better with every film. He's attention to detail I think will be pushed to the limits and this will be another one of Mr. Scott's masterpieces. Mr. Scott will push himself and present this story we all know, to a new level.
dumb

#14 ur full of it. i love all the nobodies that get on here and make posts claiming to be directors/actors/writers or friends of said famous people. get out of fantasy land, get up out of your mom's basement and go outside. maybe go for a walk, or go crazy and jog. possibly you could actually interact with other humans. anyway this sounds like a wannbe deep film + crowe shooting faces with arrows + worn out director = crap
Darunia

#14 Tabloid crap? I worded it wrong, Kingdom of Heaven was the 1st of a trilogy. Source? William Monahan him fucking self, the writer, in the making of, in the 2 special directors cut edition of it. So shove it. Orlando Bloom would eventually become Robin Hood in the 3rd movie.
Darunia

I mean the multi disk Director's cut version of Kingdom Of Heaven. Which by the way, turns Kingdom of Heaven into a tour de force in epic movie making, making it one of the best epics ever made.
one

Darunia- My honest apologies, I made a mistake I never got my hands on that copy. #16- I did in fact work at RSA/ Scottfree in west hollywood. as an office PA for 6 months- then the receptionist- then i moved to a new company where I am now the directors asst. Luckily I have enough self respect that I don't need to defend myself.
one

ps #16...i said i worked for RSA.Scottfree...i never said i knew Ridley or anyone else famous. Just a funny though...dickhole.
Sean Penn hate club

the directors cut of Kindom of Heaven was sick. No doubt that Ridley will make this good as long as there is not a part in the movie for Sean Penn crying the whole time
Sean Penn hate club

When are they going to start filming this bad boy anyway?
Dan W

I'm not excited for the movie anymore
Daniel

i liked the title Nottingham.
D-9

Good for you ONE! Thew haters just don't get it
eber hart

EVEN in this,the 11th hour of RED China eugenics 'friendly' DOOMED America, the LONG RICH, talented Scott continues to waste precious, precious time. MEANWHILE, BOTH the 20th nannniversary of the Tiennamen Massacre AND the staggeringly relevant 60th anniversary of the KOREAN WAR were. again, 'mysteriously overlooked'...