Caffeinated Clint
Did you know that the Russell Crowe version of “Robin Hood” was originally going to feature the Oscar Winner in the dual roles of Robin and the Sheriff of Nottingham? In fact, they were one and the same – the hero and the villain were the same person in that early script. Director Ridley Scott ultimately decided to go the more traditional, sadly less-unique route with the film (/film have an interesting article on how the film evolved from something unique into something ambitious but fairly old-hat) but seems that original idea is still considered viable.
Deadline says BBC America are in development on “Nottingham”, which will tell the story Crowe’s movie almost did. In fact, the original title of Crowe’s “Robin Hood” was “Nottingham”, suggesting this might even be that original movie draft re-purposed.
Described as a soapy class drama, Nottingham centers on the Sheriff of Nottingham whose wife is killed by King John’s men. When nobody is brought to justice, the Sheriff launches a one-man war against the Crown. By day, he remains the reviled Sheriff, loyal servant of the King, but by night he puts on a hood and, using the intelligence he gains from his office, attacks the King where it hurts the most – his coffers. As Robin Hood, he systematically raids the King’s men, his noble loyalists and political allies, giving the spoils to the starving peasantry and starting a rebellion that will change England forever.
Cole Haddon, creator of the recently revamped “Dracula”, is behind the series. Sony Pictures TV and David Entertainment, the companies behind “The Blacklist”, are producing.
