If Robin Hood were alive today he would aim his arrows at media monopolies, Russell Crowe said after a Cannes press screening of a new film on the English outlaw.

"My theory would be that if Robin was alive today he would be looking at the monopolisation of media as the greatest enemy," Crowe told a press conference ahead of a gala screening of Ridely Scott's version of "Robin Hood."

Crowe, who plays the lead role in the Hollywood blockbuster, said Robin might also be "looking at Wall Street... and the subprime mortgage crisis and all that" as areas where he could right wrongs.

The Australian actor then took a hard look at the dozens of reporters at the conference and asked: "Would he have in mind what you guys do for a living and realise that the true wealth lies in the dissemination of information?"

Crowe was due to walk up the red carpet along with co-star Cate Blanchett for the gala world premiere of "Robin Hood" later Wednesday that kicks off the 12-day festival.