According to the Hollywood gossip machine Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe (known for risk taking roles outside his natural comfort zone and easy going demeanor) will be bathing together in mediocrity once again later this year as they collaborate on yet another adaptation on the English tale concerning the west’s original marxist, Robin Hood.
The past week has been filled with rumors concerning actor Christian Bale. Gossip said the “The Dark Knight” star was Scott’s pick to play Robin Hood. But more recently the movie blog Latino Review* has claimed their confidential source says that “Control” star Sam Riley is Crowe’s top pick because the Aussie star loved the actor in the Joy Division flick (no accounting for taste on Crowe’s part, have you seen “Control“?).
Scott’s adaptation is rumored to follow the less idealized version of the medieval folk tale with Robin as a felon with a mean streak who is continually making the good-cop sherriff of Nottingham look like a prick (not to mention he is also humping his chick, Maid Marion, to be played by Sienna Miller). Was Crowe afraid that Bale has become too recognizable as the sympathetic vigilante, which would in turn make him look like an insufferable prick? Or is he simply coming to terms with the fact that in his aging state, an offscreen telephone-throwing ping-pong match with Bale might not turn in his favor. Whatever the reason, he has sure handpicked a real pushover for his co-star. Not that we disagree with his proven system of making sure every movie you’re in revolves around your machoism, it has worked so far, as has the common misconception of his so-called talents.
*We keep thinking these guys should have scoops on projects by Edward James Olmos and Jimmy Smits.