For someone who likes to portray himself as a tough guy, Russell Crowe sure comes off like a moody bitch sometimes. His behavior has reportedly put a strain on the longtime creative releationship between him and award winning director Ridley Scott. The pair have worked together on such films as “Gladiator,” “A Good Year” and “Body of Lies,” and are currently teamed up on a retelling of the story of Robin Hood- but sources say they are clashing over Crowe’s on-set antics.
THE long professional relationship between Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott could come to a cataclysmic end if Crowe gets Scott fired from “Nottingham.”
Scott turned Crowe into a major star by casting him in “Gladiator” (2000), a role that won him the Best Actor Oscar. The New Zealander also earned critical acclaim in Scott’s “A Good Year” (2006) and “American Gangster” (2007).
Spokesmen for Crowe, Scott and Universal, which is distributing “Nottingham,” flatly deny any discord between the actor and the director. But sources say Crowe blames Scott for the disastrous drubbing their fourth collaboration, “Body of Lies,” received from critics and at the box office last summer, and no longer wants to work with the British director.
“Ridley is the only one who is willing to stand up to Russell and tell him he’s too fat and that he can’t show up four hours late to the set,” said one source. “He [Russell] wants someone he can control.”
“Nottingham,” which starts filming in March, is a revisionist version of the Robin Hood legend, in which Crowe stars as the sheriff of Nottingham, a noble and brave lawman whose corrupt king is raising taxes even as his subjects starve. He and Robin Hood vie for the love of Maid Marian.
Crowe is notoriously hot-tempered, and faced criminal charges in 2005 after throwing a telephone at a concierge at the Mercer Hotel. He is now said to be pressuring George Freeman of William Morris, the agent who represents both Crowe and Scott, to get Scott replaced.
A spokesman for Freeman told Page Six: “There is absolutely no truth to this.” Crowe, Scott and “Nottingham” producer Brian Grazer had a preproduction meeting last week, and everything was full speed ahead, the spokesman said.
There’s no doubt that Russell Crowe is a talented guy, but I am mystified as to how he gets away with this crap. My guess is that he’s always been a hot-headed jerk, but now that he’s famous and commands a big paycheck for his work, his ego is even more out of control. A strong willed director like Ridley Scott can only take so much bullshit. I’m guessing there are more than a few big name actors who would jump at the chance to work with him and take Crowe’s place.
Picture note by JayBird: Here’s Russell Crowe at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Revolutionary Road’ on December 15th and riding his bike to eat lunch with a friend at the Euro Café in L.A. on December 6th. Images thanks to WENN.
I believe the saying is don’t bite the hand that feeds. Russell would do well to remember that. I imagine that LA is small enough that if Ridley wanted to, he could probably make it difficult for Crowe to find big budget/big director roles. Or maybe not. But he should remember that he’s a professional and not a 12-year old girl
How can they be “clashing over Crowe’s on-set antics” when they haven’t started filming yet?? Ridley is also a grumpy arrogant sod, which is why they like working together – as Ridley and Russell have said on more than one occasion. This story is a load of rubbish.
You aren’t taking this story seriously, are you?
It was lifted directly from an episode of Entourage, in which Ari Gold tries to get the director of a movie fired because he is messing with his client, Vince. As a result of the conflict, the project is canceled. The Entourage writers should be demanding royalties from the Post.
Beyond the obvious plagiarism, there are multiple holes in the story. Crowe couldn’t get Scott fired from the film, even if there were some mythical falling out. As the director, the film is Scott’s project. Although Body of Lies did modestly at the box office, Crowe and Scott’s previous film together, American Gangster was a hit. Besides which, Russell Crowe is no Ari Gold.
Agree with HEL, I think this story is complete and utter bullshit. Russell might be opinionated and hot-tempered but he’s also a professional. He gained weight for Body of Lies, not because he decided to let himself go, re: the part about Ridley telling him he’s too fat. The current long hair is for Nottingham.
oh gawd how I adore Russell Crowe. . .fat, mean, long hair, short hair, singer, actor. . .whatever – I don’t give a damn! In my eyes he can do no wrong. Brilliant actor and hubba hubba what a hunk of man!
Instead of paying in dollars, these d**ks shld. be paid in ego allowance. He is a good actor after I am into the movie & forget it’s Crowe, which in and of itself good acting. He is a self-absorbed, egotistical jerk. Tom Cruise is a jerk in his way, yet he consistently shows on set, ready to work & pleasant to work with. Stay in New Zealand and earn your money there where you spend it rowe.
Agree with several of the rebuttals above. Sounds like completely made up nonsense. They’ve had a good professional relationship for years and it’s unlikely to suddenly disappear.