BEIJING, Feb. 28 -- Cate Blanchett will star as Maid Marian in "Robin Hood."

    The "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" actress will appear opposite Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's big-budget adaptation of the classic folk tale, it has been confirmed.

Australian actress Cate Blanchett waits before accepting a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California Dec. 5, 2008. Blanchett will star as Maid Marian in "Robin Hood." (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "Factory Girl" star Sienna Miller was originally meant to play the female lead but was axed late last year amid rumors she would make the "Gladiator" star seem old and out-of-shape.

    Co-producer Brian Grazer insists Cate will be a strong match for Russell.

    He said recently: "They are both highly accomplished dramatic actors who are taken seriously playing rich characters in period pieces, but each has the ability to show you fun."

    The adventure film had originally been titled "Nottingham" and Russell was set to play both outlaw Robin and his nemesis, the Sheriff of Nottingham, but the director recently revealed they have overhauled the script completely.

    He said: "Russell in both roles was an idea so far back, way back when at the time I had this proposed to me, and I read it and thought, 'I don't really know what it does for it, but it's alright."

    "It is better to simply have the evolution of a character called Robin Hood, who will come out of a point in the Crusades which is the end.

    "The Sheriff of Nottingham is always a kind of an amusing character in most of the movies, who represents the hierarchy in the story at that point."

    The movie is now likely to focus on the origins of Robin Hood and how he falls in love with the beautiful Maid Marian.

    (Source: China Daily/Agencies)