Russell Crowe slims down for Robin Hood

Russell Crowe appears to have lost more than four stone to get in shape for Ridley Scott's £110m remake of the Robin Hood story. The Australian actor had little trouble putting on the extra weight required for his role as a CIA boss in 2008's Body of Lies, also directed by Scott. However, come January he was allegedly struggling to get himself in shape for his turn as the svelte prince of thieves.

His weight-loss problem was reported to have been thrown into sharp relief when Sienna Miller was cast as Maid Marian. Producers were said to have been worried that Miller's slim physique would make Crowe a laughing stock. One film insider told the New York Post: "The love scenes between him and Sienna would have been laughable. He's so old and fat and she's so young and gorgeous."

Since then, however, Miller has been replaced by Cate Blanchett while 45-year-old Crowe has worked hard to get himself into the kind of shape he was in for his Oscar-winning performance in Gladiator. The muffins and cheeseburgers he is said to have gorged on for Body of Lies have been replaced by peanuts, apricots and porridge and Crowe has also been on a daily cycling regime.

His dedication to the cause has been such that he has even been practising his skills with a longbow. Scott, whose fifth film this will be with the Aussie actor, claimed recently that Crowe could hit a target from 45 metres away. Crowe told Parade: "I've probably dreamt about being Robin Hood since I was about five years old."

Scott's film - as yet untitled - will also feature Vanessa Redgrave as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, William Hurt as the Earl of Pembroke, Mark Strong as Sir Godfrey and Kevin Durand from Lost as Little John. The French starlet and American Apparel model Lea Seydoux, who features in Quentin Tarantino's new film Inglourious Basterds, has also joined the cast.

What is still a secret is who will play Robin's adversary, the Sheriff of Nottingham. That role was originally intended for Crowe while Christian Bale was pencilled in as Robin. At one stage, there were rumours that Crowe was to play both parts, but that is no longer thought to be the case. The film, shooting now, should be in cinemas next May.