Remember how Sienna Miller was “too young”, “too thin” and “too beautiful” to be starring as Maid Marian to Russell Crowe’s Robin Hood in Ridley Scott’s Nottingham? All of that was according to Sienna’s strategic leaks in the on-going debate over was-she-fired or did-she-jump? Some sources (Sienna’s) claimed that Russell Crowe was bloated and overweight, and they just didn’t compliment each other physically. Some say (me) Sienna was just fired and had to say something to save face.
So the Nottingham film production was in desperate need of a new Maid Marian. Allegedly, the first actress that was asked was Kate Winslet. Coming after the revelations that Sienna was too “young and thin”, some saw Winslet’s name being mentioned as a possible replacement as a bit of an insult, as if Winslet was “old” and “not thin”.
Cate Blanchett’s name was also mentioned as a replacement, but the initial word was that Cate had no interest in doing another big-studio picture after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Plus, Cate has obligations in Australia now with her theatre work. But word is coming out that Blanchett will be the replacement Maid Marian. Good. They should have gone to Blanchett first and not even messed around with Sienna. The Telegraph has details, including a bitchy back-handed insult from one of the actors about Sienna Miller. Hurray!
Cate Blanchett looks more and more of a certainty for the role of Maid Marian in Sir Ridley Scott’s forthcoming film Nottingham after Sienna Miller was apparently deemed too slim and youthful for the part. “I think Cate Blanchett is set to take the Maid Marian part,” says Mark Strong, who has already been signed up to play Sir Guy of Gisbourne, at the London Film Critics’ Circle Awards, at the Grosvenor House hotel, in Park Lane. “She is a wonderful actress and it would make it a much classier film if she was in it.”
From The Telegraph
Haha, “classier”. Everything is classier with Blanchett, but methinks that comment was about Sienna Miller. After being ejected from Nottingham, Miller is in talks to do a Broadway play, which I guess means that all of the married men in New York better watch themselves. Sienna Miller is still doing the on-off thing with Balthazar Getty, so who knows?
Sienna Miller is shown on 11/7/08 at the launch of Hollywood Domino in London. Cate Blanchett is shown on 12/10/08 at the Benjamin Button premiere in Sydney with her husband, Andrew Upton. Credit: Frame
Mark Strong *seriously swoony do a post on him kaiser*. She’s a slightly odd choice for Maid Marion. Not sure why I think this, just not a role I’d have thought she’s go for. But yeah, classy route definitely, hope she gets lots of screen time with Strong.
Cate is too old to play Maid
why dont they give the part to an unknownn actress?
I have to say that I agree the whole story about how Miller was “too young, too beautiful, too much of a contrast to Crowe” sounded like a blatant spin from Miller’s PR people.
In fact, from a cynical PR perspective, it was a brilliant move: make sure that angle got out there right away, rather than give people time to speculate about the real reason Miller got fired.
Cate Blanchett IS classy–and beautiful. Nobody could imagine her for a moment as a second-rate Miller (maybe the other way around.)
whoa, miller to blanchett a HUGE step up in pretty much every way.
Eh?
Oh, cool. I might actually see this film now. Blanchett just exudes class in every way, shape and form.
You know, I really don’t understand why every one loves Sienna Miller. My god, even Ben Barnes said she’s sexy. Does the fact that she whores around with married men mean ANYTHING?!
Kate Winslet is too old? But isn’t Kate Blanchett 5+ years older? Bleh.
They’re both gorgeous and I think both are above playing that role.
ANOTHER Robin Hood Movie? Why does God hate us? Some stories have been told to DEATH. Time to crack actual fresh ground Hollywood. I’m still waiting for my gutsy, violent, grey morality, no-holds barred film incarnation of Elric.
Blanchett doesn’t look any older than Miller in those header pics! Blanchett does, however, look 10x more beautiful, classy and non-greasy.
G – I just looked up Mark Strong and realized he’s Mr. Knightly in that version of “Emma” that I HATE… the one with Kate Beckinsale. Blech. Why so swoony over Strong? He just seems like a weird balding Englishman. He’s no Clive Owen…
Wierd balding Englishman? Wierd balding Englishman?? The insultingness. *shakes head*
Forget about Mr Knightly (not his best), look at Syriana, Body of Lies, Stardust, Rocknrolla: he can act rings around Clive Owen and he’s WAY more attractive than either Clive Owen OR Gerard Butler. That’s right. I’ve just dissed two of ‘your’ boyfriends. *stomps off*
Class trumps trash once again. Go Cate!
It doesn’t really matter WHO plays Maid Marian. This movie is gonna suck because Russell Crowe is playing Robin Hood AND the Sheriff of Nottingham. Seriously, they are under such bad budgetary constraints that he gets to suck at TWO roles?!
And I agree that Cate is too old for Marian. Unless they’ve somehow set the story much later in time. Like this is the sequel to the Kevin Costner one.
I DON’T BELIEVE IT!! Is it possible they are actually trying to properly cast believable people for films again?!?! Sienna is just todays cliche of perky blonde, upturned nose I-am-cute-enough-for romantic comedy BS. Movie makers need to pay attention to CHARACTER again and not the ex-cheerleader sexy kittens. Amen for Ridley!!!!
Cate is way too classy to do this movie with the less classy Russell Crowe.
I have faith in Ridley Scott.
Just because Crowe isn’t the classiest guy off screen doesn’t mean he can’t play the part of classy. He’s an actor.
I think Crowe and Blanchett seem much more age appropriate to the story and to each other. I mean, seriously, how realistic is it that Robin Hood would be the leader and fighter he was and be, like, 21? I think it seems much more reasonable that someone who accomplished what that character did would be in his 40s.
Either that or he’d be a red fox and his best pal Little John would be a big, fat bear.
>>I mean, seriously, how realistic is it that Robin Hood would be the leader and fighter he was and be, like, 21? I think it seems much more reasonable that someone who accomplished what that character did would be in his 40s.>>
How many people actually lived into their 40s in the era in which Robin Hood is set?
It’d still be classy if they casted that Kardashian woman than Miller. You know which one I’m talking about. The one who dated that one guy who now has that show on VH1…. *cough*surprise*cough*.
Also, Crowe should have been casted as Little John not Robin Hood.
OK… CandyKay, you have a point. I was thinking they lived to like, 60 or so, but I’m probably wrong. Come to think of it, I don’t even know exactly WHEN Robin Hood was supposed to have taken place. I guess I was thinking more in terms of life expectancy now… my bad.
“I think Crowe and Blanchett seem much more age appropriate to the story and to each other.”
I agree. However, the part of the love-interest of such “hero” should be a beautiful or at least more pretty than Cate.
These kind of roles is more appropriate for more charming and beautiful women than Cate.
She is a great actress, but not as suitable to this part.
okay, if Crowe is Hood then Miller was a poor choice to start with, let alone she can’t really act. I sat through Factory Girl and had to be restrained not to walk out.
I don’t necessarily think they should have used Crowe (watch the BBC series Robin Hood they did a great casting job)as Hood but Blanchett is a very good actress. She has class and she can do the english accent.
Both Crowe and Blanchett are academy award winners so placing them together would be intersting to watch, plus they are both aussies and friend’s in life which might make for a nice rapport. Which is essential in a Robin Hood movie
Now is Crowe going to be a fat Robin or a normal size Robin?
Didn’t they already do the ‘old’ thing in “Robin and Marion” with Connery and Hepburn?
Supposedly, Robin Hood probably would have been somewhere between about 18 – 40ish.
This story was usually set during the high middle ages, late 12th century during Richard Lionheart’s reign. Theorists are rethinking historical mean estimates for humans and the fact that what killed some people would’ve made others stronger and more disease resistent.
40 was still considered the relative “declining” years at that point. One would assume Robin Hood would be fairly young to have hopped about the forest climbing trees, etc., but the character of Robin Hood still could have been just a really energetic 43-year-old.
Anyway, losing Sienna and gaining Cate is like trading your flip-flops for diamond slippers. magic ones.
“he can act rings around Clive Owen and he’s WAY more attractive than either Clive Owen OR Gerard Butler. That’s right. I’ve just dissed two of ‘your’ boyfriends. *stomps off* ”
ZOMG WAR. But seriously, G, if you think I like Gerard Butler for his acting ability, I have a surprise for you! Is Mark Strong or is he not a weird balding Englishman?
He is NOT wierd. I think he may be bald now, always been very close-shaven but he’s really sexy, dark intense eyes and very brooding on screen. But I can understand that his appeal might be too sophisticated for *people* who want to get into Butler’s pants…. *sniff* (lol!)
Back to the film, agree with Snappy re Crowe and Blanchett being an interesting pairing, good match in age and abilities. But still wonder what new angle Scott can bring to this.
Boo! BBC “Robin Hood” 4evah. OK, fangirl phase over.
Geronimo – I will grant you that a man can be a “weird balding Englishman” and still be very hot (Ralph Fiennes)… and I will give you the fact that Mark Strong has a very sexy voice. That’s as far as I’m going.
Back on topic – I do think Cate & Russell will be good together, but I worry about their sexual chemistry. I don’t want them to be outdone by those cartoon foxes in that *other* version of Robin Hood.
im with you geronimo-even though i had no idea who mark strong was before you started drooling, but kaiser, i have to say, clive owen is another guy whose appeal I just dont get. big ol bulbous nose, no lips, acne scars and looks like he has halitosis.
tee hee. i think i ragged on your before about the no-lipped hobbit daniel craig.
The cartoon version will NEVER be beaten! It will always be the best!
It is okay Geronimo I have a huge crush on Tim Curry and no one seems to understand that either! 🙂
Olivia de Havilland will always be the best Maid Marian!
soooo…no news today?
Actually my understanding of this version was that the Sheriff of Nottingham would be the protagonist, the good guy, played by Russell Crowe, plagued by the ‘terrorist’ Robin Hood.
I don’t think that robber-baron-hero theme will play well in these times, anymore than the Shopaholic movie!
I must add that whatever the limits of her talent, Russell Crowe would definitely look more old, fat and decrepit next to the twentysomething Sienna Miller.
Next to the beautiful, older Cate Blanchett, he’ll just look fat and decrepit. Oh and overacty.
SM is a no-talent ho…her inclusion would have ensured the movie a ‘B’ grade rating.
Well, Cate is my favorite Hollywood star of this generation, but, isn’t she way too old for this part? And her chemistry with Crowe will probably be zero. Sienna was an awful choice. But Cate isn’t a very good one too. I think they should look for other actress. Or maybe try someone new and fresh, a newcomer.
I have a very strong feeling that this movie will suck badly.
This is much ado about an “on DVD in four weeks after it hits theaters pile of garbage”.
Ned: Why are you never contented in terms of female beauty ? There’s no reason a ‘hero’ would not be in love with someone average-looking. Love is not about looks. Except for very shallow people.
Yes yes yes! Best news of the day.
Heh, upgrade.
Props to whoever made that re-casting decision.
As for Blanchett being too old – I’d say she’s too good a Maid Marian for Crowe but that’s just me. At least she’ll be believeable.
Miller? Meh!
I can tell that this is not the first time at all that you mention the topic. Why have you decided to write about it again?