Crowe not keen on initial 'Robin Hood' draft

Russell Crowe admits the first script for the Ridley Scott-directed 'Robin Hood' was not to his taste as it seemed too similar to crime drama TV show ‘CSI’.

He said: “I read the script and I wasn’t interested in doing that take where the Sheriff was Nottingham was a good guy and Robin was a really bad guy.

“I mean that’s kind of interesting but it’s not interesting for a long time, because ultimately you have a well meaning public servant who is doing his job properly and the script basically to me, no disrespect, it read like ‘CSI’ in Sherwood Forest.”

Ridley – who has worked with Russell on ‘Gladiator’ and ‘American Gangster’, admits the pair are becoming used to working with each other.

He told BBC News: “He brings his capabilities as an actor, which is formidable. He brings his intelligence with it. And we’ve just got into the habit of it!

“But actually he asked me to do this film. I thought about doing it, but I was persuaded to do it.”

Ridley has recently revealed he is optioning a sequel to the movie which could upset historians.

He said: "In it we'll take King John up to being forced to sign the Magna Carta by his people who will probably be led by a guy called Robin Hood and all the historians will go nuts!"