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Here’s your first look at Ridley Scott’s raw “Robin Hood”

Universal Pictures has released the first trailer for “Robin Hood,” and it’s a doozy.

Directed by Ridley Scott (“American Gangster”) and written by Brian Helgeland (“The Taking of Pelham 123″), this action-packed medieval drama stars Russell Crowe as an archer in the army of King Richard the Lion-Hearted who becomes the legendary Robin Hood.

Fellow Aussie Cate Blanchett (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) plays Maid Marian, and English actor Matthew Macfadyen (“Frost/Nixon”) is the of Sheriff of Nottingham.

They’re joined by a cast of cinematic heavyweights, including William Hurt, Danny Huston and Max von Sydow.

With its raw, gritty look and high body count, this “Robin Hood” bears little resemblance to its cuter, cuddlier forebearers — which range from 1938’s  “The Adventures of Robin Hood” to 1993’s “Robin Hood: Men In Tights.”

We’ve seen the renegade archer as an animated fox (Disney’s family-friendly “Robin Hood”), as an aging Scotsman (“Robin and Marian”) and as Kevin Costner (“Robin Hood Prince of Thieves”). Actors ranging from Errol Flynn to John Cleese have taken on the role.

Now Crowe inherited the bow and quiver in a role that likely shares quite a bit with his Oscar-winning turn in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.” (Am I the only one who thinks his George Clooney-style haircut looks familiar? I doubt it.)

Here’s hoping this hard-hitting “Hood” lives up to its considerable potential.