Hot damn! Late Tuesday the first trailer for Ridley Scott’s version of Robin Hood was released, and it’s pretty awesome. The film has been broiling in controversy for the better part of the year because of behind-the scenes drama, but you can’t see any of that in this minute-and-a-half clip. This thing is so awesome, I had to look up the cast just to make sure some of these dirty, sexy people were who I thought. In addition to Russell Crowe as Robin Hood, and Cate Blanchett as Maid Marion, the film also has Mark Strong (nice, he’s in Sherlock Holmes too), Danny Huston, Max Von Sydow, William Hurt (!!) and finally, as the Sheriff of Nottingham, one of my big crushes, Matthew MacFadyen. He was Mr. Darcy in the Keira Knightley version of Pride & Prejudice, and his voice literally kills me. I love him!

Anyway, this trailer makes it seem like this version is going to be very, very dark. I mean, except for the part where Robin Hood is riding a horse on the beach. Which, you know, Robin Hood did…? Oh, and I’m loving Cate Blanchett’s dark wig. But you can do anything to her hair, you really can, and it still works.

I’m so happy this film looks good! I was worried. There was so much scandal during the production, from the alleged feud between Russell and Ridley, to Russell’s alleged weight gain, to Sienna Miller’s dismissal from the film (or, as she put it, she was too thin and beautiful for the role), to Cate Blanchett’s brilliant casting. My only qualm is that the film looks a lot like Gladiator. I mean, that’s Ridley Scott’s style and everything, but did Russell really need the same haircut? Whatever. My Crowe crush is returning!

Production stills from ‘Robin Hood’ featuring Crowe, Blanchett and Ridley Scott, courtesy of Screen Rant.