Were you a fan of Robin Hood as a child and did you see the various television shows on Robin Hood?

Oh yes, I was entranced by the legend of Robin Hood ever since I was a boy growing up in New Zealand and Australia. I remember the Richard Greene TV series. When you watch it now it is hokey as all hell and pretty much the same story every episode. I also saw Errol Flynn when I was really young and the Douglas Fairbanks Jr. one as well. There was a whole bunch of Robin Hoods that weren’t commercially successful that no doubt came up on Saturday morning TV in Australia.

Did you take up the movie offer instantly Since you have been a big fan of Robin Hood?

Actually in a way I did. When producer Brian Grazer came to me with the idea for a modern-day version of this classic myth when we were making American Gangster, I was immediately intrigued and keen to take up the offer. And I remember telling him Robin Hood is one of those things that I’ve always wanted to do’. So I read the script, and no disrespect to the writers, but I wasn’t interested in telling the story that particular way. So I said to Brian ‘I don’t want to do that particular version but I do want to do Robin Hood — that would be great.’ So I took it up later when the script was changed.

So tell us a bit about Robin Hood?

The film is an action packed historical thriller that explores the roots of the legend of Robin Hood. Set to the backdrop of a country in political turmoil, under the threat of both invasion and civil war, and bled dry of its resources with a population near starvation, it’s also a story with heart. It’s a complex tale — a tale of circumstances, a tale of personal experience and a tale of romance that grows and isn’t applied.

You and Sir Ridley Scott go back a long way. what do you have to say about him?

Yes, my relationship with Ridley stretches back more than 10 years to when we made the epic Gladiator together. Making Gladiator was such a huge experience. And it connected the two of us for life. Robin Hood is our fifth collaboration. He suits me and he is one of my favourite directors.

What is it like working with Sir Ridley Scott?

I like to go to a set and work. I like to crack through a day, and I like to finish a day feeling like I’ve done a man’s work, and I’ve done a job. And Ridley likes to work like that, too. We discuss everything that we need to discuss at any given moment. We’re always working. I also get to give my input into the script and that’s not unusual when we work together. Right back to when we did Gladiator, we were working on scenes together sometimes the night before we shot them. And it’s been the same on Robin Hood. But that’s part of the gig with me and Rid — it’s what we do.

Months before Robin Hood went into production in England, you began preparing in Australia. How did you prepare for the role?

Yes, that is true, I began preparing for the role back home in Australia on my farm in New South Wales. I even invited two of the actors who play my Merry Men. We had to go through a tough fitness programme that included running, daily bike rides and workouts with weights. We also immersed ourselves in weapons training and in particular archery, which I clearly enjoyed. I just love it when the arrow is released from the bow. (Smiles.)

You got a chance to personally pitch the project to Cate Blanchett, tell us how you pitched it.

Cate and I along with Nicole Kidman and Geoffrey Rush were at an event where we were being honoured for our contribution to Australian cinema. We were honoured by having our images portrayed on a series of stamps. There was a ceremony where they unveiled the stamps and everybody including government officials were celebrating the fact that Geoffrey, Nicole, Cate and I had been honoured with these stamps. And I was on stage with the microphone and I said to the audience ‘Don’t you think it’s about time that Cate and I made a movie together?’ The audience all cheered and it went from there.

How was it working with Cate?

I was thrilled when Cate came on board to play Lady Marion Loxley. And you know, Cate’s been fantastic. She’s amazing — a wonderful actress and a really together person. And she has a skill level that is second-to-none in my experience. She’s been wonderful to work with.

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