There are several "Robin Hood" films in development - one from Disney, another from Warner Bros. and a third from Sony Pictures — but it appears that Lionsgate intends on beating them all in the race to the big screen as a report from Deadline states that the studio is already looking for potential stars for its "Robin Hood: Origins" film. 

According to the report, Lionsgate is looking to hire young and upcoming actors. The studio may be looking to keep the same actors for multiple films, indicating that they may be planning on having future sequels. There are rumors that the company is hoping to build a franchise or expanded cinematic universe around their take on Robin Hood. 

The shortlist includes Taron Egerton from "Kingsman: The Secret Service," Nicholas Hoult who stars as Beast in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and as Nux in "Mad Max: Fury Road," Dylan O'Brien from "The Maze Runner" and "Teen Wolf" series, Jack Huston from "Boardwalk Empire," and Jack Reynor who was most recently seen in "Transformers: Age of Extinction." 

"Robin Hood: Origins" is described as a gritty take on the origin story of the titular thief, who comes home from the Crusades and forms a band of outlaws to save their homeland from the evil and corrupt. 

The film will be helmed by TV-director Otto Bathurst, known for his work on "Peaky Blinders," based on a script penned by Joby Harold. 

Harold was also responsible for writing the script for "Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur," a new Arthurian film being directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Charlie Hunnam as the fabled King. His take on King Arthur harkens to the gritty and dark tones of "The Dark Knight" and it is possible that this is the same approach the studios are taking for "Robin Hood."  

According to a report from Screen Rant, Bathurst has only been able to speak with Reynor at this point which indicates Reynor may be in the lead. Who the studio chooses may all boil down to their availability, however, as production is scheduled to begin by early 2016.