Cate Blanchett As Maid Marian in Ridley Scott’s “Nottingham”?

Mark Strong revealed that Ridley Scott’s “Nottingham” will finally begin filming this Spring. He then confirmed that Sienna Miller will no longer play Maid Marian, but refused to reveal her replacement. “I’ve heard rumors but I can’t tell you. I’ll get in trouble,” he said.

Now, “Nottingham” appears close to getting back on track with the news that Cate Blanchett is in talks to play Maid Marian opposite Russell Crowe as Robin Hood.

“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,” Strong, who will play Guy of Gisbourne in the Robin Hood tale told The Telegraph.

“We’ve been waiting all last year but it’s pretty much ready to go at the end of March beginning of April,” he said.

According to rumors, filming was further delayed to allow star Russell Crowe to lose enough weight.

Strong added that the script has also changed since its beginning.
“There was an identity swap between the Sheriff of Nottingham and Robin. This has slightly changed now,” he explained. “There is a case of mistaken identity but it’s more (about) Russell’s Robin, than the Sheriff.”

Russell Crowe to Play Comedy Legend Bill Hicks?

Bill Hicks | Russell Crowe

Ridley Scott’s Nottingham has been pushed back indefinitely but at least until Spring but star Russell Crowe not wait. Instead, he’s trying to get underway with a new biopic of achingly cool comedy legend Bill Hicks.

For those of you not in the know, Hicks was one of the smartest, most acerbic comedians of the 80s and early 90s, who struggled with drink and drugs before getting his career back on track – only to fall victim to cancer at just 32 years old. Despite his tragically young death, he lived long enough and worked hard enough to influence pretty much every comedian since, and has been paid tribute in everything from The Simpsons to the comic series Preacher.

The Oscar winner said it would be at least seven months before the film gets off the ground in England, allowing him to spend more time at his Woolloomooloo home with wife, Danielle Spencer, and sons, Charlie, 4, and Tennyson, 2, and working on other projects.

“More time in Australia is always a bonus,” Crowe said last week.

“I have another project based on the life of comedian Bill Hicks, which is going from treatment to draft stage with Kiwi writer Mark Staufer.”

Yes, New Zealander Mark Staufer is scripting, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Continue Reading…

Sam Riley will play Robin Hood in Ridley Scott’s ”Nottingham”

Christian Bale was in talks to appear as Robin Hood or that was just a rumor. New information, according to Latino Review is that Sam Riley will play Robin Hood in Ridley Scott’s ”Nottingham.”

Russell Crowe, who will also star in ”Nottingham” was impressed with Riley’s performance in the Ian Curtis biopic ”Control” and wants to cast him as the infamous outlaw although Scott was very eager to cast Bale in the role.

Sienna Miller will play Maid Marion in the drama that focuses on the Sheriff of Nottingham (Russell Crowe) as a noble and brave lawman who labors for a corrupt king and engages in a love triangle with Marion and Robin Hood.

Actors who have previously played Robin Hood on film include Errol Flynn, Sean Connery and Kevin Costner.

Sam Riley’s screen credits include guest spots on police procedural drama ”Law & Order” and the upcoming ”Franklyn.”

Christian Bale as Robin Hood in Ridley Scott’s ”Nottingham”?

Christian Bale is in talks to appear as Robin Hood in Ridley Scott’s revisionist take on the story entitled ”Nottingham,” according to UK’s Daily Mail.

If Bale takes on the role, he will be part of a menage a trois that also includes Russell Crowe as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sienna Miller as Maid Marion.

While Bale hasn’t signed on just yet, Scott is very eager to cast the actor in the role.

Wardrobe fittings begin next week, so expect an announcement about Bale’s involvement to come out before then.

Vanessa Redgrave and William Hurt are also in discussions about being in the film.

Sienna Miller joins Russell Crowe in Robin Hood tale

Sienna Miller has been added to ”Nottingham” and she will star opposite Russell Crowe in the Robin Hood tale.

Ridley Scott is the director of the movie which is based on a script by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris.

Miller will play Maid Marion in the drama that focuses on the Sheriff of Nottingham (Russell Crowe) as a noble and brave lawman who labors for a corrupt king and engages in a love triangle with Marion and Robin Hood.

”Nottingham” is scheduled to hit theaters on November 6th, 2009.

Sienna Miller currently has a role of the Baroness in “G.I. Joe” and we can see her in upcoming “The Edge of Love” and “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh.”