Margot Robbie to play Maid Marian

Suicide Squad star Margot Robbie is stepping back into the Middle Ages to play Robin Hood's girlfriend, Maid Marian.

The Australian star has signed on to portray the one-time damsel in distress, who becomes a heroine to the people after British folklore character Hood's death.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter Pete Barry's script has been greenlighted at Sony, and Robbie is also considering producing the action film, in which her Marian character will pick up where Robin Hood left off and lead his crew the Merry Men.

Hood is very much in demand in Hollywood - an origin story, starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Jamie Dornan, and Eve Hewson as Marian is currently shooting; Hasraf Dulull will begin filming a futuristic take on the legend later this year (17), and Alex Kurtzman and Justin Lin are tackling a modern TV Robin Hood drama, titled A Burglar's Guide to the City.

Robbie is currently perfecting her ice-skating skills while portraying athlete Tonya Harding in the biopic I, Tonya.

Past big screen Maid Marians have been played by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Olivia de Havilland, and Uma Thurman.