Universal has released another trailer for Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, and it’s probably the best one so far. We start by seeing Robin Hood as a kid who witnesses his father being murdered by the powers that be, and from this an outlaw is born. One with a dodgy Yorkshire accent. Anyhow, there’s lots of action, arrows being fired in all directions, and a great big epic battle on a beach. It looks like Gladiator 2.0 will be rather good.

Oscar winner Russell Crowe stars as the legendary figure known by generations as “Robin Hood,” whose exploits have endured in popular mythology and ignited the imagination of those who share his spirit of adventure and righteousness. In 13th century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power. And whether thief or hero, one man from humble beginnings will become an eternal symbol of freedom for his people.

Robin Hood stars Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong and will be released on May 14th. Mark said date in the nearest tree stump.

What’s this? Mark Strong might be playing a villain in a film? That’s never happened before (if you ignore Sunshine, Stardust, Sherlock Holmes, and upcoming films Kick-Ass, Robin Hood and John Carter of Mars). Well I suppose he is British.

Green Lantern director Martin Campbell today squashed rumours that Watchmen actor Jackie Earle Haley was in talks to play the role of Sinestro by announcing they were currently in talks with Mark Strong:

Speaking with MTV News during the junket for “Edge of Darkness,” his upcoming action thriller opening January 29, Campbell dismissed rumors that “Watchmen” actor Jackie Earle Haley was in talks for the role.

“No, that’s completely wrong,” said Campbell of the persistent rumor, which popped up again recently despite Haley denying any involvement with the “Green Lantern” movie. “In fact, we’re in negotiations with Mark Strong to play Sinestro.”

“He’s not only a wonderful actor, but he looks like Sinestro,” he added. “If you look up old pictures of Sinestro, he’s very like him. The Jackie Earle Haley thing, somebody told me about it this morning; I had never heard it before in my life.”

He also revealed the names of a few other characters that would be making an appearance. I’m not familiar with the Green Lantern world but i’m sure a few people will be familiar with these names.

“Well, Kilowag will be,” said Campebll. “Tomar-Re is in it. Sinestro is in it. Abin Sur is in it. All the origin people. Carol [Ferris], of course, who will be played by Blake Lively. All the main characters are there, and it’s a complex story. The origin story of Green Lantern is complex, probably one of the most complex, which makes it a challenge to get it right.”

Green Lantern will begin filming in around 8 weeks, so they have a bit more time to negotiate and get Mark Strong on-board.

A new trailer for Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass has appeared online over at Yahoo! This trailer provides us with a lot more footage and story, and we get to see nods to other superhero movies such as Spider-Man and Batman. Nicolas Cage actually wears a Batman suit. Unfortunately this trailer can be viewed by everyone, so we don’t get to see Hit Girl chopping people’s legs off (click here to see that), however it’s still cool.

Aaron Johnston plays Dave Lizewski, a lonely teen who decides to become a real-life superhero after being inspired by the heroes of comic-books. He soon encounters a mysterious vigilante called Big-Daddy (Nicolas Cage), and his daughter Hit Girl (Chloë Moretz), who are working to bring down the drug baron, Frank D’Amico.

Kick-Ass will be released on April 16th.

Back in August Matthew Vaughn brought his independently financed superhero movie Kick-Ass to Comic Con and the huge positive response to the footage provoked a bidding war between a few studios for distribution rights. Lionsgate eventually claimed victory after shelling out $50 million, and swiftly set a April 16th release date. Now we are starting to see the first bit of marketing for the film with IGN releasing 4 new posters.

To see the other posters showing Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Red Mist, and Chloe Moretz as Hit Girl click here!

In related Kick-Ass news AICN received a review for film after a test screening took place in London recently. Here’s a snippet (spoilers):

The comic sets out as a modern deconstruction of the superhero concept, with knowing nods to geekdom surrounding comics, and the film takes that idea and runs with. Littered with references to other superhero films from Batman, Superman and Spiderman (even the Spirit movie gets a hilarious nod), this feels like it is happening in our world, and will drive fellow geeks wild. The film veers ever more into outlandish areas as it goes on, but it always feel believable.

As far as the actors go, Brit Aaron Johnson as Kick-Ass more than fills the lead role ably handling the accent, but I did feel that he lacked the vulnerability of the comic’s Dave Lizewski, never nerdy enough and definitely too buff, but that’s just nit-picking at a role that should catapult him into the big time. Christopher “McLovin” Mintz-Plasse proves that he has what it takes to hold his own in a comedic role as Red Mist, and he seems perfectly cast. Nic Cage, who I wasn’t really to impressed with when I heard he was cast as Big Daddy, proved me wrong by putting in a hilarious, Adam West-esque performance (although his final scenes did raise a few eyebrows for his scene-chewing, but again I won’t spoil it for you).

But the film truly belongs to Chloe Moretz who, as Hit Girl, tears through the film as the baddest pre-pubescent 4 foot badass ever committed to film. She totally owns every scene and provided the audience with at least three bandstanding crowd cheering moments. She’s funny, witty, knowing, hugely crude, and just massively ass-kicking, her Matrix lobby-esque scene at the film’s climax is just incredible, and again should propel her into the big time by just being one of the most incredibly cool characters in any comic book film ever. Badder than Wolverine, funnier than Deadpool, more athletic than Spiderman and cuter than that kid in Runaways. Just f**king awesome.

Click here to read the rest!

From the positive reaction to footage at comic con, to this recent review, it seems Matthew Vaughn may have made a rather unique and cool superhero movie. All we need now is a trailer!

Cinematical received a brand new (rather blue) poster for Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. It features all the gang including Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Mark Strong and Rachel McAdams. There’s also a bulldog which we haven’t seen much of in the trailers. I wonder if he/she has a large role?

Sherlock Holmes sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down an evil cult leader named Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

You can watch the latest trailer by clicking here!

The trailer for Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes is now online! Among many things seen in the 2 minute 18 second montage, some shots we see include: Rachel McAdams in a corset, 300-style slow mo shots of Holmes punching a guy in the face and Holmes being sexually suggestive towards a maid. Watch below!

It looks better that what I expected. However, my only complaint is Downey’s accent. Being an Englishman myself I can tell that it’s a bit off, but he has obviously worked hard on it so I can live with it.

A few weeks ago Mark Strong let slip that Cate Blanchett would be playing Maid Marian in Robin Hood, now he’s revealed what the ending of Sherlock Holmes will consist of! Warner Bros. will no doubt be overjoyed.

From Totalfilm: [Contains minor spoilers]

“There’s a fantastic sequence where we duel to the death on a half-built Tower Bridge,” he said. “It’s a perfect way to end the movie, Robert and I hammering seven bells out of each other on top of this swinging bridge with Victorian London as a backdrop. It’s going to be amazing.”

For those not in the know, Strong plays occult-dabbling Satanist Lord Blackwood, who he admits is based on Alastair Crowley.

“There’s a touch of Dracula about him,” he said of the character. “He needed to have an element of showmanship about him by virtue of the fact that he’s trying to persuade everyone around him that he’s so in league with the Devil that he’s able to conquer death. I just wanted to make him an equal adversary of Sherlock Holmes.”

Sounds interesting. With Strong playing the villain in Sherlock Holmes, Kick-Ass and possibly Robin Hood, he must be trying to avoid being typecast by showing his loving and giving side. Especially with secret information he signed a contract not to tell.

Since Sienna Miller bowed out of playing Maid Marian in Ridley Scott’s Nottingham I have been curious to see which actress would replace her. From the casting of Miller I got the impression they were looking for someone similar, such as Keira Knightly or Gemma Arterton, however it appears they have gone for an older, more established actress. Mark Strong who will play Sir Guy of Gisbourne spoke to The Telegraph and revealed who may be playing Russell Crowe’s love interest in the film.

“I think Cate Blanchett is set to take the Maid Marian part. She is a wonderful actress and it would make it a much classier film if she was in it.”

This casting will only add to the film. While I though there was nothing wrong will Miller in the role, Cate Blanchett seems better suited and to see her act alongside Russell Crowe will be interesting.

Pre-production on the film is currently taking place and filming should begin within the next few months.

Mark Strong will portray Guy of Gisborne in Ridley Scott’s Nottingham, according to Digital Spy.

“I heard a rumour that I was going to get shot in the face by a cross bolt in the first ten pages and end up hideously disfigured through the rest of the movie,” said Strong. “There’s so much speculation around it at the moment, but I do know that he’s a bad guy.”

“The script is still fluid, but it’s essentially the Guy of Gisborne character. In the synopsis I got, he’s called Conrad, I don’t know why!

Strong’s career has taken a big step up recently. He had a big role in Ridley Scott’s Body of Lies and is currently filming Sherlock Holmes with Guy Ritchie and Robert Downey Jr. He will also play mob boss Frank D’Amico in Matthew Vaughns Kick-Ass.

Meanwhile, director Ridley Scott spoke about the rumours that the film had been delayed due to the leaves in Sherwood Forest not being green enough.

“I really don’t care! I don’t give a s**t whether they’re red leaves or pink leaves.”

…well…at last that’s cleared up!

A press conference for Sherlock Holmes was held in London recently and cast members Robert Downey Jr., Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong were in attendance, along with director Guy Ritchie. They talked a little about their characters, and Downey Jr. revealed that at first Ritchie thought he was too old to play the lead part. That was until Iron Man came out this summer and Downey Jr. became a bit more ‘A-List’.

Watch a bit of the press conference below!