RUSSELL CROWE - CROWE 'SIGNS UP FOR ROBIN HOOD FILM'

CROWE 'SIGNS UP FOR ROBIN HOOD FILM'

Russell Crowe has signed up to play the sheriff of Nottingham in a new version of Robin Hood.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winner will assume the role played by Alan Rickman in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves but will spin it in a very different light to the traditional take on the medieval tale.

Crowe's sheriff will be a much more positive figure as he investigates murders in the midlands town, while the virtuous hero Robin will be seen to have his own failings.

Ethan Reiff, who worked on the hit series Sleeper Cell and also the film Bulletproof Monk, will help script the film, together with Cyrus Voris.

Speaking to Hollywood Reporter, Reiff commented: "Part of the strength of the script was the simple idea of doing Robin Hood by making the Sheriff the good guy."

The movie is currently being touted to studios, with the paper reporting there could be a bidding war for the Universal Pictures production, which could begin filming later this year.