Russell Crowe's Hicks role

3 months ago 20th Aug 13:30

Russell Crowe is reportedly in talks to portray Bill Hicks in a new movie.

The 'Gladiator' star is reportedly hoping to star as the legendary American comedian - who died of cancer aged 32 in 1994 - after production of his next movie, 'Nottingham', was put back to next year.

Speaking about the delay, he told the Sydney Morning Herald: "More time in Australia is always a bonus. I have another project based on the life of comedian Bill Hicks, which is going from treatment to draft stage with Kiwi writer Mark Staufer."

'Nottingham' - based on the Robin Hood story - has reportedly been pushed back until next March in order to minimise disruption from the proposed actor's strike and because director Sir Ridley Scott wants the leaves on the trees in England's Sherwood Forest to be the right colour.

Bill Hicks was an American comic who regularly caused controversy with his political, religious and ribald material. He struggled with drink and drug addictions while performing stand-up during the '80s and early '90s before eventually getting his career back on track, only to fall victim to pancreatic cancer.