Every Saturday Jack Downham settles down to watch Robin Hood on TV – and now he is about to play the folk hero in a film starring Russell Crowe.

Jack, who goes to Scala School for Performing Arts in Horsforth, will play Robin Hood as a boy in the new film due for release next year.

The seven-year-old from Farsley was offered the role after meeting actor Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott, whose films include Blade Runner, Alien and Gladiator, which won an Academy Award for Mr Crowe.

The as-yet-untitled Robin Hood movie also stars Cate Blanchett and Vanessa Redgrave.

Jack is due to start filming at the end of the month.

“As far as we know it’s in Surrey but there is also filming at other locations around the country,” said his mum, Clare Downham.

“We’re all so excited about it but Jack is taking it in his stride. He had two screen tests at Scala then he went for an audition during half-term. He had a chat with Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott and got the part!

“He’s completely into Robin Hood, he watches it every week. Now he’s going to be Robin Hood himself! It seems a bit surreal.”

Despite meeting two of Hollywood’s most powerful figures, Jack wasn’t star-struck.

“He doesn’t get fazed by things like that so he was pretty relaxed,” said Mrs Downham. “It probably helped that he hasn’t seen their films yet because they’re generally not suitable for children of his age.”

Jack is already becoming a veteran of the small screen. “He’s currently appearing in a Whiskas advert on TV and he was recently in Heartbeat. He’s also been in Emmerdale,” said Mrs Downham.

Jack’s sister Sophie, nine, is also at Scala and earlier this year she appeared in ITV’s Unforgiven. “This past year has been a whirlwind but they enjoy it and that’s the main thing,” said Mrs Downham.

“We wouldn’t be able to take them around to so many auditions and film shoots without the help of my parents. The whole family is very proud.”