Miller to play Marian in new Hood film

LONDON, June 18 (UPI) -- Sienna Miller has confirmed she is set to co-star with Russell Crowe in the latest big-screen retelling of Britain's Robin Hood legend.

The BBC said the U.S.-born British actress is to play Maid Marian, while Crowe will portray a sympathetic version of the Sheriff of Nottingham from whose point of view the story is told.

The sheriff is traditionally depicted as corrupt, while outlaw Robin Hood, who robs from the rich and gives to the poor in the English countryside, is painted as the hero.

The new film was written by "Mystic River," "A Knight's Tale" and "L.A. Confidential" author Brian Helgeland, while Crowe's "Gladiator" and "American Gangster" director Ridley Scott is to direct the movie.

"It's happening. I just found out. It's the most exciting news in the world," Miller told the BBC.

"It's ridiculous. But there's this looming actor's strike, so it's not 100 percent sure that it's going to be made, but it's looking pretty certain."

Miller is best known for her roles in "Casanova" and "Factory Girl." She can now be seen in "Edge of Love."

She told the BBC she "could not have a better part" than Maid Marian and said working with Crowe and Scott is "as good as it gets."