To paraphrase Mark Twain, there are lies, damned lies and stories about the project known as Robin Hood, so big thanks go to Mark Strong for supplying a few titbits on Ridley Scott's historical epic.

Strong, who was originally slated to play the dastardly Guy of Gisborne, is now appearing in the film as Russell Crowe's nemesis, the equally-if-not-more dastardly Sir Godfrey. "A year ago I was playing the Guy of Gisborne character but the story isn’t the Robin Hood story. Although all the characters are all involved, it’s a different narrative," he said, confirming rumours that Scott's movie will deviate from the Robin Hood legend that has previously appeared on our screens.*

"I play King John’s right-hand man who is a bit of a bastard – there’s lot of horse riding, lots of threatening people with enormous swords." Which is surely good news for anyone hoping for a villain of Rickman-esque genius.

The ever-amiable Strong was at the Jameson Empire Awards to see his turn as silk-tongued Archie help RocknRolla to a Best British Film gong, and he shared his experience of the Awards in 2008. "Last year was the first time I was aware that the Awards were being filmed for the website, and I was discovered rifling through the goodie bags at the end of the evening. Someone sent me a link to it online - I'm holding two bags and two drinks, and I look like a rabbit caught in the headlights," he said with a grin. "This year I'm going to be very well-behaved." 

* The official word according to Universal is that "Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power."