Blanchett-Led 'Robin Hood' to Open 63rd Cannes Film Festival, May 12

Variety reports today that Cate Blanchett's latest film, Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott and co-starring Russell Crowe, will be the opening film at the 2010, 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 12.  The announcement does not come as a surprise to most, as the action-drama had been a top contender for the coveted placement for some time. The film will not play in competition at the festival, though it will mark its world premiere.

The film additionally features Max Von Sydow, William Hurt and Lea Seydoux and is being produced by Scott Free Productions and Imagine Entertainment for Universal Studios.  The film will be released commercially on May 14, 2010 in the United States and on May 12, 2010 across France. 

Ridley Scott has been successfully represented at Cannes with The Duellists in 1977, winning a Unanimite award and Thelma and Louise in 1991.

Based on the popular series, Robin Hood has been said to contain a level of action on par with Gladiator, and centers on the birth of the Robin Hood legend. Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) has penned the screenplay. 

The 2010 Cannes Festival runs from May 12- May 23. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.festival-cannes.com/en.html.

With husband Andrew Upton, Cate Blanchett has been Co-Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company since January 2008. For the Company, she has previously performed in Hedda Gabler, Sweet Phoebe, Kafka Dances, Top Girls and Oleanna and has directed The Year of Magical Thinking, Blackbird and A Kind of Alaska. Other theatre credits include productions with the Almeida, London, Company B and Griffin. Blanchett also appeared in the role of Blanche DuBois at the sold-out BAM engagement of the Sydney Theatre Company production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' last year.