Ridley Scott will begin filming Nottingham, the latest movie adaptation of Robin Hood’s adventures, in February 2009.
In The Times Scott says that Nottingham will breathe new life into the Robin Hood story and recreate the outlaw as an all-action hero. He claims that previous versions, such as Errol Flynns The Adventures of Robin Hood and Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves have failed to ‘hit the target’.
“Think of Gladiator,” said Scott. “Everyone sniggered because they thought I was going to do a sandal and toga movie. But I knew exactly how to do it. And I know how to do Robin Hood.”
Some of the classic Robin Hood Adventures will be included in the film, especially the fight between Robin Hood and Little John on the log over the river and Robin’s amazing marksmanship. Russell Crowe, who will play both Robin Hood and The Sheriff of Nottingham, won’t be wearing tights. He is quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald as saying:
“I will not wear tights because according to our research they weren’t invented for another 300 years. I apologise to you all”
Crowe is also committed to making Nottingham the best version ever:
“I spent 10 months just reading Robin Hood books – the history, the mythology, the original ballads, the legend – and then you’ve got 100 years of cinematic history as well. So this has got to be the best one ever done, otherwise I should be doing something else.”
Sadly filming won’t be taking place in Sherwood Forest, the traditional home of Robin and his band of merry men. Instead woodland in the south of England will be used.
November 16th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I think the new film is a major promotion opportunity for Nottingham as a tourism destination and it will establish its association with Robin Hood. However, I am slightly worried that, as the new movie appears to show Robin Hood in a darker light (Gladiator-like)not as the traditional “hero”, it may influence the image in a negative way.
What do you think?
February 13th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I think you’re right about the huge tourist opportunity and I think with Robin Hood it doesn’t matter if he’s darker – it still promotes the legend and its connections with Notts. My husband and I have just finished our independent review of tourism in Nottingham though and there aren’t that many directly related Robin Hood things to do. Unless we’ve missed something! This is it….
http://www.free-city-guides.com/nottingham/
Kelly x