According to The Hollywood Reporter, actress Vanessa Redgrave is joining the cast of Ridley Scott’s untitled Robin Hood project.

The film, which is beginning production in the U.K., stars Russell Crowe as Robin Hood; Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian; Mark Strong as King John’s henchman Sir Godfrey; Scott Grimes as Welshman Will Scarlet; Kevin Durand as Scotsman Little John; and Alan Doyle as the Irish troubadour Allan Adayle.

Redgrave will play Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of King John (Oscar Isaacs).

The project, originally envisioned as a revisionist take on the Robin Hood story told from the point of view of the Sheriff of Nottingham, was scheduled to begin filming last August but was put on hold in July for more script work.

Written by Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris and Brian Helgeland, the new tale follows Robin during his early days in King Richard’s army, his return to Nottingham and his creation of a band of mercenaries who try to prevent a civil war.

The film is scheduled for release on May 14th, 2010.

By Tessa Petrocco (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)