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Malarkey And Keamy Make For Some Weird Merry Men

By Daniel Carlson | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (39)

sgrimes0310.jpg

Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood is, if you believe the trades, going to be “a reimagined version of the origin stories of key characters in the Robin Hood legend.” Russell Crowe is starring as Robin, and he’s been attached to the project ever since it was titled Nottingham and he was slated to play the Sheriff of Nottingham; once the revisionist history version was jettisoned and the project was tweaked, Crowe slid over to the other role. Cate Blanchett has also been on board for a little while to play Maid Marian.

But the news this week is that the Merry Men have been cast, and it’s an admittedly eclectic little group. First up is Little John, who will be played by Kevin Durand. Durand has been in films like 3:10 to Yuma, but he’s best known for playing the nutjob commando Keamy last season on “Lost.” Yes, the ripped, lipless monster that cannot be stopped is going to play Robin Hood’s best friend. In other news, I am now scared of Robin Hood’s best friend.

Also, Alan Doyle will play Alan-a-Dale, a wandering minstrel who presumably will have to be tough enough to defend himself for being a wandering minstrel. The actor — and I am not making this up — sings sea shanties in the Canadian folk-rock band Great Big Sea. Here’s hoping they’re this catchy.

The final addition to the cast, as Will Scarlet, is Scott Grimes, the easygoing redheaded guy you liked in “Band of Brothers” and that your mom likes on “ER.” Will is Robin’s nephew, but the casting of Grimes means that the character will now actually be likable and empathetic instead of the sniveling little douche he became in the hands of Christian Slater in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The film starts shooting in April in the U.K. Attaboy, Malark.

And because I can barely believe this is real, I have to share it:









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Comments

Kevin Durand also played Joshua (the dog man) in Dark Angel, so be less scared.

Posted by: Carrie at March 10, 2009 10:40 AM

"Bold Sir Robin, Brave Sir Robin...."

Oh. Wrong Robin. But if the minstrel were to be like the minstrel in The Holy Grail I might be persuaded to see this. Otherwise, do we really need YET ANOTHER Robin Hood story? Origins, really? It's not as if they were superheros. We all know Robin Hood's origins. The 1980s TV show put somewhat of an original spin on it by adding in the mystic Arthurian undertones, but apart from that you're left with Robin the Socialist of Locksley.

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 10, 2009 10:41 AM

Aww that clip. I've loved Scott Grimes since his Party of Five days. Not the best keyboard player, but he's got a nice enough voice.

Posted by: Carrie at March 10, 2009 10:43 AM

I just find it hilarious that Scott Grimes does the voice of Steve on American Dad.

I don't care what you haters think, American Dad is hilarious, and way funnier than Family Guy.

Posted by: Snath at March 10, 2009 10:44 AM

Uncle Jesse! Ask me if I know all the words to Michelle's Smiling. Ask. Because I do, bitches.

Posted by: Marra at March 10, 2009 10:45 AM

What, no one remember "Critters"? Come on!

do we really need YET ANOTHER Robin Hood story?

No.

Posted by: Jay at March 10, 2009 10:57 AM

Thank you Jay!

Grimes was the bomb in Critters. Especially 2.

Posted by: courtney 2 at March 10, 2009 11:02 AM

Yes, the ripped, lipless monster that cannot be stopped is going to play Robin Hood’s best friend.

He can be stopped... by little bug-eyed guys who lie a lot.

Posted by: jM at March 10, 2009 11:04 AM

Don't be a buzzkill Jay. I love me some Robin Hood and the last one was ok but had Kevin Costner all over it.

The BBC version bites. So yes, I need another one.

Posted by: twig at March 10, 2009 11:05 AM

Well, at least it appears to not be "King Arthur", at least not anymore. Cause that was some unnecessary shit right there. I asked myself "does this look better than 'Excalibur'?" "Hell NO" I answered myself. And that was that.

Posted by: Jay at March 10, 2009 11:09 AM

I love the Scott Grimes-in-Critters love going out right now. I remember flipping through channels last year sometime and seeing him with a beard on ER and thinking 1. "Holy shit! That's Brad!!!!" and 2. "Does he have to leave that giant lighter he made out of an aerosol can in his locker because of all the oxygen in the ER."

Yeah...me, Scotty, the Crites, and Johnny Steele have a special kind of bond.

FUCK! This just hit me...with Scott Grimes getting more work, producers are bound to see his resume and get the idea of remaking the franchise. FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK. Murder feelinz coming in 3, 2, 1....

Posted by: PissBoy at March 10, 2009 11:15 AM

Can anyone beat the literal fox of a Robin Hood from the 1973 Disney version?

Posted by: kelsy at March 10, 2009 11:17 AM

Jay Argh, that's where I loved him from! Oops. 'Brad Brown is back in town.'

Posted by: Carrie at March 10, 2009 11:18 AM

Yes, the ripped, lipless monster that cannot be stopped is going to play Robin Hood’s best friend.

He can be stopped... by little bug-eyed guys who lie a lot.

He can also be stopped with a fork by the light of a campfire and a chainsaw ripping through his body in an elevator. Either way...he's got some memorable coil shufflings in his jacket.

Posted by: PissBoy at March 10, 2009 11:18 AM

Oh...and one last thing.

Fuck Billy Zane.

Posted by: PissBoy at March 10, 2009 11:19 AM

Great Big Sea is pretty fantastic. I once pulled a hip muscle dancing at one of their concerts (such was my enthusiasm).

Posted by: Henry at March 10, 2009 11:32 AM

Chiwetel for the Moop or I'll be dropping many suckers.

Posted by: Adere at March 10, 2009 11:42 AM

Hee. Pissboy, his Smokin' Aces demise may be favorite, if only for the hair.

Also, I'm 90% sure I heard that Billy Zane was dead. Am I right or is it wishful thinking?

Posted by: jM at March 10, 2009 11:44 AM

How ya doin over there, Adere?

NOT TOO GOOD!

Posted by: Jay at March 10, 2009 11:46 AM

Coughing up fluorescent gooballs, Jay. Better recognize.

Posted by: Adere at March 10, 2009 12:01 PM

There's a 'blind item' going around about a star who now can't fit into the costume for his soon-to-be-filmed movie, and everyone thinks it's Crowe.

Stand by for 'Robin Hood: Not In My Pants (Because My Gut Is Too Effin Big)'.

Posted by: Tarn at March 10, 2009 12:26 PM

Keep em away from my bubble!!


and everyone thinks it's Crowe.

Cause Robin Hood's robbery thing was a middle-age career change, right?

Posted by: Jay at March 10, 2009 12:34 PM

Echoing Henry: Great Big Sea is fucking great. Yes, they do plenty of sea shanties, but those guys can do folk rock like nobody's business. Hell of a live show, too. Orgasmic four-part harmonies.

Admittedly, though, Alan Doyle looks a little douchey. I knew a guy who played bagpipes in another Irish-type band who claimed that Great Big Sea actually are a little douchey.

All the same: I hope Alan's movie acting is better than his music video acting.

Posted by: Sean at March 10, 2009 12:59 PM

Durand is a fine piece of man-candy when he's not trying to blow up my favorite time-traveling island, so to this piece of news I say, "Yes, please!"

Let me ask another question. I've long held the belief that, were I a person of means, I'd have myself a decent home gym and maybe a trainer and that would lead to my having no pudge and really hot ass. What earthly reason does Russell Crowe have for being a fat fucker?

Posted by: Nicole at March 10, 2009 1:19 PM

You said your ass is flat though, Nicole. A gym won't change that. On the other hand, you look nothing like Russell Crowe.

Posted by: Jay at March 10, 2009 1:26 PM

It is flat, Jay, but if you have a trainer who helps you work your glutes you can give it a little sculpting. However comma, you speak truth when you say that I look nothing like Russell Crowe, and thank the sweet baby Jesus for that.

Posted by: Nicole at March 10, 2009 1:33 PM

Hmmm...yeah, isn't Crowe a bit too old to play Robin Hood? I thought he would be great as the Sheriff (but no one can be better than Alan Rickman because he OWNED that role and made that movie awesome) but..Robin Hood? really?

And...I guess Little John is supposed to be terrifying, so this casting sounds spot-on.

"Oh, they call me Little John. But don't let my name fool you. In real life, I'm very big. "

Indeed.

I wonder if they'll eat Robin's minstrels.

And there was much rejoicing. Yaaaay.

Posted by: figgy at March 10, 2009 1:59 PM

"you speak truth when you say that I look nothing like Russell Crowe"

Clearly these folks haven't seen that picture of you.

Posted by: TK at March 10, 2009 2:05 PM

Jesus, TK, it was NINETEEN NINETY TWO; I was thirteen. And I didn't look like Russell Crowe, I looked like a retarded extra from Singles in a school uniform.

Figgy, "I'll cut your heart out with a SPOON!" Why a spoon? "Because it'll HURT more, you TWIT!"

Posted by: Nicole at March 10, 2009 2:36 PM

Aw, I'm just funnin'.

It was 1992. Everyone looked silly then. There's a reason my mother wouldn't take any photos of me in the early 90's.

Posted by: TK at March 10, 2009 2:44 PM

Crowe gained weight for Body of Lies, but he's fit, muscular and trim again.. judging from some recent pix. Think Maximus in chain mail.

Durand will be a convincing Little John. He played a character called "Tree" in the hockey film, Mystery, Alaska, with Crowe.

Posted by: macca at March 10, 2009 2:48 PM

You're a lucky man. Not only do I have scads of photos from those years, but my picture is stamped indelibly in yearbooks that are scattered far and wide across these United States. "Ha ha, it looks like Nicole had her bangs cut by a blind guy with pinking shears!"

Posted by: Nicole at March 10, 2009 2:51 PM

Nicole, I'll happily take one for the team and scan in my worst picture for you to post on Facebook. TK will leave you alone after that.

Ugliness reached its threshold in my fifth grade photo. Plaid shirt? Check. Oversized glasses large enough to correct the astigmatism of a fucking Snuffleupagus? Checkity check. Laser background tastefully chosen by yours truly? Oh my holy balls, check. Expression that conveys "Yes I am slightly touched, and thank you for asking, I do like toast." ??? :sobs:

Posted by: Julie at March 10, 2009 3:10 PM

Yay! Great Big Sea! They are indeed pretty damn catchy, but it's hard to beat the Oo-de-lally.

Posted by: sunset&camden at March 10, 2009 3:56 PM

Nothing so eclectic or diverse about this group. There are all in Russell Crowe's circle of friends. Scott Grimes was in Mystery Alaska with Crowe along with Durand. This will be Durand's third film with Crowe. Alan is Crowe's close musical friend and songwriting partner and Grimes also plays. Durand did the rapping on TOFOG's song, "Nowhere", which can also be seen on Crowe's TOFOG "Texas" DVD in one of the secret sections. So the merry band is really a band.

Posted by: Amy at March 10, 2009 5:54 PM

Nicole, THANK YOU for that line! One of the best lines in Prince of Thieves! Damn. I do love Alan Rickman!

And people the last Robin Hood movie I distinctly recall was Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Remember the song? Do you remember the song?

Although...the rooster as Alan a Dale in the Disney version (back when Disney was cranking out good cartoons and live films instead of a horde of annoying teenie zombies) was quite awesome!

Posted by: Four Eyes at March 10, 2009 7:27 PM

God, I love Scott Grimes. Have I mentioned before that redheaded boys really do it for me? Oh, only a thousand times or so? OK.

I am getting annoyed that they keep casting people I really like in this movie. Because I loathe Russell Crowe - I just don't get him. Like, I've seen a couple of things where I've thought he was great (waaaay back though, like 'Romper Stomper', 'L.A. Confidential', and 'The Insider'), but for the most part every role I've seen him in since 'Gladiator' (which sucked, admit it) has undercurrents of both extreme douchiness* and "HOLY FUCK PEOPLE AM I NOT THE GREATEST ACTOR YOU'VE EVER SEEN?!" He's so self-consciously actor-y that it makes me want to punch him in his not-that-attractive face. YEAH I SAID IT. Dude isn't even particularly good-looking.




*He is, in the words of Marshall Erickson, "the heir to the Massengill fortune."

Posted by: Mimi at March 10, 2009 7:43 PM

Errol Flynn.

Nothing else need be said.

Posted by: CatBallou at March 10, 2009 9:07 PM

Amen, Four Eyes! Forget Oo-de-lally. The real question is, can Alan Doyle out-catchy the Men In Tights song?!

Posted by: meaux at March 11, 2009 9:19 AM