Ready…aim…look, it’s the first image of Russell Crowe as an armor-wearing, tight-less Robin Hood in Ridley Scott’s new, updated version of, well, Robin Hood. USA Today managed to scoop up the first photo of Crowe in the new film, which also stars Cate Blanchett (Maid Marian), Mark Strong (Sir Godfrey), Kevin Durand (Little John), Vanessa Redgrave (Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine), William Hurt (William Marshall), Alan Doyle (Alan-a-Dale) and Scott Grimes (Will Scarlet).
Right away we can tell this ain’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill Robin Hood; in this film, Crowe looks more like he did back when he starred in Gladiator, with his short haircut and medieval-looking armor. Producer Brian Grazer told USA Today that Robin Hood’s story was one that needed to be revisited: "Oddly, it's a metaphor for today. He's trying to create equality in a world where there are a lot of injustices. He's a crusader for the people, trying to reclaim some of the ill-gotten gains of the wealthy. That's a universal theme."
This version is said to stick closer to the history books, with less light, breezy fantasy and more rugged, down-and-dirty heroics. Robin Hood is due out on May 14, 2010.
What do you think: Does Russell Crowe look like Robin Hood? Does the character need an update, or would you rather they stick to the whole green tights, feather hat get-up?
