Updated August 15, 2008

NEWS:

8/15/08 - Variety: Universal's Golden Summer - " She (production prexy Donna Langley) and Working Title scrambled to save "State of Play" after Brad Pitt left the picture during the writers strike, citing script issues. They replaced Pitt with Russell Crowe and Edward Norton with Ben Affleck. "It's a different movie than if we had shot it with Brad," she says. "Russell gives a wonderful, naturalistic performance. In terms of what we set out to achieve, it's a dramatic thriller with a romantic triangle at the center. That's intact." Crowe was set to reunite with Ridley Scott on the Robin Hood adventure "Nottingham," which Langley figures would cost between $100 million and $120 million. But SAG uncertainty made it impossible to commit to a narrow shooting window, and the pic was recently postponed. "It's a big expensive movie," Langley says, "all shot outside." The filmmakers were building sets north of London and needed just the right summer foliage. Universal always insisted that if things weren't resolved with SAG, it would not proceed with filming until next year. Besides, she says, "We needed the script to bake a little bit." The film will start next year

7/26/08 - The Hollywood Reporter on the Nottingham delay -"Ridley Scott's revisionist take on the Robin Hood story, with Russell Crowe playing a sympathetic Sheriff of Nottingham, which had been heading for a mid-August start date in London, has been put on hold. While plans for the production have moved into a holding pattern, it could not be immediately determined if the changes foreshadow a postponement or a cancellation." - [A shame] Thanks, Mike

7/24/08 - The Sheffield Telegraph: Raising a toast to Robin (Lots of historical utensil detail) -- "He has been turning replicas of medieval wooden bowls for 15 years on a foot-powered lathe. The last practitioner of the craft died in 1958 so, Wood had to copy his lathe and tools from old ones in museums and learn the skills by trial and error. "I have done stuff for the Globe Theatre and the RSC, also the Tower of London and Hampton Court, but this is the first film I have been involved on," he says. He is naturally looking forward to seeing his work on the big screen, probably brandished by Russell Crowe. "The mazes were very high class and the top of society drank from them, so the Sheriff of Nottingham will undoubtedly be seen using one," says the craftsmen who admits he tends to watch period movies with an eye on the utensils." - Thanks, Anne S

7/12/08 -- Some info on long hair of the time - Link HERE

6/21/08 - Latino Review: Exclusive: Nottingham's Robin Hood May Have Control! -- "So the Daily Mail was going around saying that Christian Bale was going to play Robin Hood in the upcoming NOTTINGHAM, which is directed by Ridley Scott. Well, not quite. Mr. Beaks debunked that story earlier today on Ain't-It-Cool-News. Guess what? I know who Russell Crowe wants for the role of Robin Hood." (Info on Sam Riley HERE)- Thanks, Steph

6/20/08 - AICN: Is Christian Bale NOTTINGHAM'S Robin Hood? Beaks here... Though I am loath to believe a single word printed in the Daily Mail, I must admit that yesterday's gossip item about Christian Bale being "in talks" to play a bad-guy Robin Hood in Ridley Scott's revisionist NOTTINGHAM seemed fairly genuine. With Russell Crowe on board as the good-guy Sheriff, and Sienna Miller recently cast as Marian... why the hell not Bale? While I can't provide any specifics, I can tell you this much: there is absolutely no truth to the Daily Mail's rumor. Christian Bale is not playing Robin Hood. As for who might be picking up where Errol Flynn, Sean Connery, Kevin Costner, Richard Gautier and a cartoon fox left off, I'm sure we'll know soon, 'cuz NOTTINGHAM is currently scheduled to begin shooting this August. I wonder what Paul Bettany's up to. Bale's next movie is called THE DARK KNIGHT. I hear it's pretty damn good. - Thanks, Steph

6/19/08 - Great news if it comes off - Bale Plus Vanessa plus Hurt!!!! --- Baz Bamigboye in the Mail: (Scroll) "Christian gets tied up in Notts -- Christian Bale, soon to be seen as the caped crusader in The Dark Knight, is in talks about donning the jolly Lincoln Green outfit of Robin Hood, where he will be part of a menage a trois between Russell Crowe's Sheriff of Nottingham and Sienna Miller's Maid Marian. Nothing is signed for Bale, but director Ridley Scott is exceedingly keen to cast him. Costume fittings begin next week, so he'll be either in or out by then. Vanessa Redgrave and William Hurt are also in discussions about being in the film, which is called Nottingham. Saoirse Ronan (who appeared with Vanessa in Joe Wright's award-winning film Atonement) will also be in the picture. If all the casting comes off, it'll be a high-octane ensemble and Scott will be working with a big budget - good news for the British film industry." - Thanks, Maria (See my Nottingham pages for more history of the times, and watch The Lion In Winter for info about Richard the Lionheart (Anthony Hopkins) and John Lackland (Nigel Terry) - Or Robin and Marian, with Robert Shaw at the Sheriff and Russell's pal Richard Harris as Richard the Lionheart) - Thanks, Maria -

Howard Pyle's drawing of the Sheriff in London:

6/19/08 - Variety: Sienna Miller added to 'Nottingham' -- Actress joins Russell Crowe in Robin Hood tale -- Miller will play Maid Marion in the drama that focuses on the Sheriff of Nottingham (Crowe) as a noble and brave lawman who labors for a corrupt king and engages in a love triangle with Marion and Robin Hood. Ridley Scott will helm the pic in late summer based on a script by Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris. Brian Grazer is producing for Imagine.

6/4/08 - Variety: Indie Films get SAG Waivers - The prevailing sense among studio toppers is that a strike's unlikely, and a few projects currently shooting -- "Transformers 2," "Terminator Salvation," Eddie Murphy starrer "A Thousand Words" -- have a built-in hiatus so shutting down won't be costly. Several other tentpoles -- Roland Emmerich's "2012," Sony's "Da Vinci Code" sequel "Angels and Demons," Disney's "Prince of Persia" and Universal's "Nottingham" -- are set for late summer on the presumption there won't be a strike. The stars and studios are nonetheless gearing up for the worst possible scenario. The current number of waivers is triple what SAG had signed three months ago -- and an indication there will be a modicum [a small portion: a limited quantity] of feature shooting in the coming months.

2/12/08 - Re the Ridley comments on Nottingham -- "the lead role in Nottingham, is Nottingham"

Empire UK: Exclusive: Scott On His Upcoming Slate - Ridley talks Monopoly... and Robin Hood - “I finished filming in December with Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe for (Al Qaeda/CIA thriller) Body Of Lies [new title - House of Lies] and I start Robin Hood here as soon as the writers and actors strikes get settled,” says Scott. “I’ve already taken a walk in the woods and scouted out some locations. We’ve got Russell Crowe lined up to play the lead - he can do a really good English accent.” - Thanks, Penny [ed note: It looks like the premise for Nottingham has changed. So Russell is to be Robin Hood?]

12/7/07 - An update on the fate of the real Sherwood Forest from Jane W

12/3/07 - Variety: Many top names free for spring films -- "...Universal took advantage of the availability of Russell Crowe to keep "State of Play" going, but that was an anomaly. He is poised to step into a fully formed picture, with sets constructed, Kevin Macdonald ready to direct, and a stellar cast -- Edward Norton, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman and Robin Wright Penn -- all locked into pay-or-play deals. Indications are that Crowe likes the script, and the studio and his WMA reps are trying to make a deal that will allow him time to report to the Ridley Scott-directed drama "Nottingham" in March. Even if the start date of "State of Play" gets pushed a bit, U is financing both films and won't have to barter with a rival studio nervous that Crowe will be late arriving to Sherwood Forest."

10/29/07 - IESB Net has a review of a first draft script for Nottingham (not too flattering) - "...Anyway, as I read on, SIR ROBERT TORNHAM (Russell Crowe) leads his troops in a glorious, sweaty, bare-chested battle not seen since the movie 300 in March 2007, and to victory...." - Thanks, Steph

10/23/07 - Grazer Calls Scott's 'Nottingham' The 'Gladiator' of Robin Hood Movies

10/16/07 - News from the real Sheriff of Nottingham and Sherwood Forest (Which is in real ecological trouble) -- "I work for Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, UK and for the real Sheriff of Nottingham - Jeannie Packer.  As you have reported on your site, Sherwood Forest is under threat - the ancient oaks are dying and the forest has become fragmented and diminished. A whole host of ecologists, foresters, rangers, heritage experts and tourism officials are trying to win £50 million from the UK BIG Lottery to restore the forest to its former glory. For the first time ever the british public are going to decide who wins this huge sum of lottery money- following a series on ITV. There are 5 other competitors in the running. Historically speaking - Sheriffs were employed by Royalty to look after the forests and safeguard them from illegal poachers etc. so Russell's Nottingham film really hits the spot! Here's the latest article on the Forest from The Guardian on 15 Oct.  Wish us luck.  If the Russell fans want to know more they should visit www.robinhood.co.uk " - Thanks, Jane Wallace - National PR team for Sherwood: The Living Legend

6/7/07 - CHUD via the Hollywood Reporter: The Sheriff is near? - Thanks, Ivani - Here is the Hollywood Reporter story - Thanks, Allison -- Filmick from March : Script Review: Nottingham - Thanks, Ivani

AICN: SPOILERS -- Helgeland Now One Of Ridley Scott's Merry Men!! He's Revising NOTTINGHAM!! - Thanks, Cindy

4/30/07 - Variety: Scott and Crowe spin ‘Nottingham’ tale (VAR) -- Ridley Scott will direct Russell Crowe in Universal’s drama "Nottingham" with Brian Grazer producing for Imagine Entertainment. This marks the fourth collaboration for Scott and Crowe after “Gladiator,” “A Good Year” and the upcoming “American Gangster.” Scott will turn to “Nottingham” once he completes “Body of Lies” with Leonardo DiCaprio for Warner Bros this fall. In a revisionist take on the Robin Hood tale, Crowe will play the Sheriff of Nottingham as a noble and brave lawman who labors for a corrupt king and engages in a love triangle with Maid Marion and Robin Hood. - Thanks, Steph, Cindy

NZ Stuff: $100m film projects tipped for Taranaki -- Four years after The Last Samurai put film-making in Taranaki on the map, another major announcement relating to the region's film industry is to be made today. It is understood two films are Taranaki bound – one a significant Hollywood production and the other a New Zealand film detailing the life of the country's most decorated war hero, Charles Upham. Exactly which Hollywood films could come Taranaki's way is open to speculation. Industry talk of late has pointed to the possibility of the remake of the Robin Hood story being filmed in New Zealand. Oscar winner Russell Crowe will play the Sheriff of Nottingham in the film, to be titled Nottingham. It is expected to start filming late this year or early next. - Thanks, Maria

Thanks to Janet, the history of the Robin Hood tales - "One story that demonstrates his archery skill is the Golden Arrow contest set up by the Sheriff to bring Robin out of hiding. .....Into the 17th century, printers came to look out for a larger market to sell their small books, as more and more common people were becoming literate. The tales presented Robin Hood as an outlaw taking from the clergy, fighting against the sheriff of Nottingham, performing in archery contests, sometimes taking on a disguise as an old person. These were tales that common people could relate to, stories borrowed from the Gest and older works." - Here is the ballad Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow at jonathandewbre.com -- And an introduction to these versions of the ballads (see left column)

More -- Robin Hood wins the Sheriff's Golden Arrow - "The blare and discord of trumpets rang out over the noise of the people. A great clamor of voices betokened the arrival of some great man at the front of the chief stand. "The Sheriff has arrived," cried Stuteley, who knew the ways at these affairs. "Hear how the people do cheer him! For sure he must be a man well liked--"

Related: My favorite Robin Hood film - Robin and Marion, 1976 - Robin and Marion (Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn) at an older age. Co-starring Robert Shaw as Nottingham and Richard Harris as Richard the Lionhearted.

The Bold Outlaw Robin Hood site has added the Nottingham info - Thanks, barbiecat

The Hollywood Reporter: Universal deal makes Crowe the new sheriff in town -- "But Friday, they learned that Crowe had read their spec script -- between TV work, they had worked on it off and on for the past three years -- and quickly attached himself to it. The actor sparked to the idea of playing the sheriff in a tale in which Nottingham is investigating a series of murders in which Robin Hood is the suspect. ...Such high-wattage directors as Ridley Scott, Bryan Singer and Sam Raimi are circling the project, which the studio wants to put into production by year's end." Thanks, Kris C, barbiecat (Casting Suggestion: Clive Owen as Robin Hood?)

!!!! Variety: Universal flies with Crowe - Universal Pictures has nabbed "Nottingham," a hotly-pursued spec script from the creators of "Sleeper Cell," in a deal that will reunite Russell Crowe with Imagine Entertainment. - Thanks, Cindy, Maria

More info on Nottingham in this Variey article: " ..."Nottingham" is based on the premise that Robin Hood was less virtuous and the Sheriff more noble than previously depicted. Story also involves a love triangle between Robin Hood, Maid Marion and Nottingham's Sheriff. "He's trying to do the right thing, but he's up against Robin Hood, who's becoming heroic while not necessarily acting in the nicest way," explained Reiff, a history buff." -Thanks, Cindy

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In some stories, the sheriff is an overweight fool, mere comic relief to nastier foes. Other times, he's a smooth political operator with a sharp wit. Or he can be the leader of a magical cult. He can be silly, sinister or merely psychotic. Once in a while, the sheriff is portrayed as a good man doing an unpleasant job. Such interpretations are rare though. Usually, the Sheriff of Nottingham deserves everything Robin Hood does to him.

More to come...

Thanks to Anne S: The Sheriff of Nottingham by Richard Kluger -- "Kluger's revisionist novel portrays the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham of Robin Hood fame as a scrupulously upright man fighting to retain his integrity in a vicious world, and his loyalty to a king whose cruelty and capricious temperament are legendary. Employing a wealth of historical detail that informs and intrigues without overwhelming, the author brings to life a wide variety of complex characters; readers will react with moral ambivalence and sympathy to even the worst of them. Kluger's novel is a detailed, evocative portrait of the age of corruption and conflicting loyalties that produced the Magna Carta. Highly recommended."

"I'll stick it on my arrow's head,
And shoot it into the town;
The mark shall show where it must go,
When ever it lights down."

The project it was full performd;
The sheriff that letter had;
Which when he read, he scratchd his head,
And rav'd like one that's mad. - Child's ballads #39

Howard Pyle - The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood