Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood has been selected for the coveted opening night slot at the famous Cannes film festival. The film, which stars sour-pussed Australian Russell Crowe as the legendary vigilante, will screen out of competition on May 12 according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film has generated massive buzz ever since word first leaked of plans for the project. A deadly serious take on the story of the man who “stole from the rich to give to the poor,” the film is said to be a gritty, realistic treatment of the character and a far cry from Kevin Costner or Errol Flynn’s portrayals.

Starring alongside the irascible Crowe are Cate Blanchett as the beautiful Maid Marian and British actor Matthew Macfadyen as the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. Mystic River and L.A. Confidential writer Brian Helgeland wrote the script, which covers the hero’s early days in Sherwood Forest.

Robin Hood will be released worldwide on May 14th, just two days after its Cannes premiere.

This marks the third time one of Scott’s films has shown at the festival after 1977’s The Duellists and 1991’s Thelma and Louise.