Robin Hood Trailer

So, today, the trailer for the newest movie version of Robin Hood went online today. This film has had quite an interesting timeline.

It originally began life as a film called Nottingham. As the old addage goes, the villain is the hero of his own story, so Nottingham was going to be the story of Robin Hood as told from the Sherrif of Nottingham's point of view. The Sherrif was going to be portrayed as a just and fair man just following the orders of a corrupt king, Robin Hood was going to be shown as a cold-blooded thief, no matter how noble his intentions, and they were going to get a nice little love triangle going with Maid Marian. Russsel Crowe signed on to play the Sherrif, Sienna Miller signed on to play Maid Marian, and negotiations were entered with Christian Bale to play Robin Hood. Ridley Scott -- legendary director of Gladiator and Alien and who'd always wanted to do Robin Hood -- re-teamed with Crowe to direct.

But then, rewrite began. Confusion erupted when it was announced that Crowe would now be playing both the Sherrif and Robin Hood. It was eventually revealed that the Sherrif would eventually come to understand what the outlaws were doing, retreat to the woods, and take the alias "Robin Hood." It was around this time that Miller dropped out to go play the Baroness in G.I. Joe. Cate Blanchett then stepped into the role.

Finally, then, we were told that it would be more conventional Robin Hood story, with Crowe as Robin Hood. However, this one promised to be more historically accurate as to what was going on in 13th Century England. So, Prince John gets assistance from dastardly French invaders, and throwing in such historical figures as William Marshal, who was considered the greatest knight in England at the time.

And a neat bit of Canadiana. Alan Doyle, lead singer of Great Big Sea, plays the balladeer of the merrie men, Alan-a-Dale.

Anyway, here's the first trailer. I'm finding it quite underwhelming, and the 300 music doesn't quite mesh. May 2010 is when it hits theatres.