Russell Crowe not discussing plans on Irwin biopic

By Stone Martindale Sep 26, 2006, 2:29 GMT

Actor Russell Crowe has refuted all reports that he was in discussion to play the character of Steve Irwin in a movie about the Crocodile Hunter.

Yet the New Zealand Herald reports that Oscar-winning New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe definitely wants to play Steve Irwin in a film based on the life of the late Crocodile Hunter.
 
Crowe, now a resident of neighboring Australia has repeatedly spoken in support for Irwin and his family after the stingray accident on the Great Barrier Reef.
 
In Touch Weekly reports Crowe is allegedly in talks with Universal Studios about making a biopic.

Crowe said he was appalled at suggestions that he was planning to star in a biopic just weeks after the Australian's death.

"It's appalling to me,...awful that I have to deal with millions of people thinking I would dance on my friend's grave,'' Crowe said to television show EXTRA.

Reports said Crowe was already in talks with Universal about playing Irwin. One story cited an anonymous "insider'' as saying Crowe once told Irwin he wanted to play him in a movie version of his life.

Crowe also today shed light on his departure from Baz Luhrmann's new film, an epic about the Australian outback starring Nicole Kidman, in June.

"I do charity work, but I don't do charity work for major studies," Crowe said.

"I just didn't want to work on that movie in the type of environment that was being created because of the needs of the budget."

Crowe was replaced by another Australian actor, Hugh Jackman.

The Luhrmann movie was due to begin production this month, but has been pushed back to February because of scheduling conflicts and budget debates with 20th Century Fox, according to the Hollywood Reporter.