Tightening The Bow

“He doesn’t have the old Robin Hood tights. He’s got armour,” revealed producer Grazer of Crowe’s look, as shooting commenced in April 2009. “He’s very medieval. He looks, if anything, more like he did in Gladiator than anything we’re used to seeing with Robin Hood.”

The first image of Russell Crowe as Robin Hood was released. The actor was relieved to not be in tights: “I will not wear tights because according to our research they weren't invented for another 300 years. I apologise to you all.”

Meanwhile, the paparazzi managed to get on-set, leaking snaps of shooting taking place in the English countryside. The images revealed some epic battle scenes that took place in Bourne Wood, Surrey.

Dame Atkins revealed she would be working with an owl – and she was still terrified.

“I am completely bird phobic - it’s the same owl that appeared in Harry Potter and apparently it weighs as much as a dog. I have to feed it - probably dead mice - and I’m going to go to an animal sanctuary to help me get over my phobia.”

As shooting continued, it was revealed in August that Warner Bros were planning their own Hood film – but theirs would feature an out-there sci-fi twist. Danish director Nicolai Fugslig signed on, while producers revealed that it would be “a futuristic action adventure” both “inspired by and pay homage to the legend of Robin Hood.

On 14 December, with the film in the can, Universal released their first trailer for the film...

It fostered a mixed reaction, with many viewers calling it ‘Gladiator In Tights’, recognising in the footage a similar look and tone to the other historical Ridley-Russell team-up.

Just a week later, Universal released Robin Hood’s first international trailer, which turfed out the original teaser’s rock soundtrack in favour of a more traditional approach...

Meanwhile, Robin Hood became the first post-Avatar film to get caught up in the 3D race, with rumours circulating that the film might be converted into 3D for its release.

It was claimed that Ridley Scott was “breathing down the neck of executives at Universal to get them to approve making a 3D version of his new $200 million epic, Robin Hood”.

The Wrap magazine reported: “One knowledgeable executive told me that it would cost only an additional $7 to $8 million to create a 3D version of Robin Hood. The question is - what will that add to the box-office total?”

Scott confirmed that he was keen for the flick to go the multi-dimensional route. “I’ve seen some of James Cameron’s work, and I’ve got to go 3D. It’s going to be phenomenal,” he enthused.

In the end, though, nothing came of it. Robin Hood will be released ‘traditionally’, without any 3D tampering.

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