William Hurt has joined Russell Crowe in director Ridley Scott's untitled Robin Hood film.

The Imagine/Universal project, which just started shooting in the U.K., is billed as a retelling of the origins of the legend's key characters. Cate Blanchett is on board as Maid Marian, and the cast also includes Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand and Alan Doyle as the Merry Men.

Hurt plays William Marshall, the Earl of Pembroke, a historical figure who was one of the most powerful men in Europe. Marshall was a servant to the Plantagenet kings and one of the best jousters of the era.

The movie Hurt was Oscar-nominated for his supporting role in 2005's "A History of Violence." Recent credits include "The Incredible Hulk," "Into the Wild" and FX's "Damages."

(China Daily/Agencies, April 14, 2009)