Man, this is wild. When seeing "It's Complicated" the other day (for the wife, you know), i was treated to a trailer for a new film treatment of the Robin Hood mythos. I sat up in my seat in anticipation--I love Robin Hood, King Arthur, and all that stuff--and was a bit surprised to see the Robin of Loxley portrayed by none other than Russell Crowe! Seeing Crowe stalk across the screen in this obviously darker, more violent, and more militaristic treatment, i turned to my wife and said, "Wow! That is the biggest-a$$, buffest Robin I've ever seen!" Interviews I've read with Crowe say this is a "reimagining" of Robin, focusing more on the soldier who's fought bitterly in the Crusades, who comes home, weary, to fight further injustice. Used to more lithe, agile, and lighthearted Robins, I was intrigued by this treatment. Crowe's bringing that furrowed brow, that worn, barely coiled anger so familar from "Gladiator" to this role. Obviously this hulking Prince of Thieves won't be swinging much from slender ropes in the forest of Sherwood! And obviously the Merry Men won't be standing around in garishly bright pastel colors, laughing joyfully and chowing down on stag legs. This thing is pretty intense. My fav Robin movie of recent times has been the smart version with Patrick Bergman and Uma Thurman, which was a nice companion to Errol Flynn's funfest. Forget Costner's junk. Maybe this one can add an interesting new twist to the legend?
http://www.robinhoodthemovie.com/ http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/robinhood/