Actor Russell Crowe has withdrawn from a movie about New Zealand war hero Charles Upham. Photo / New Zealand Herald
Actor Russell Crowe has withdrawn from a movie about New Zealand war hero Charles Upham. Photo / New Zealand Herald
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Hollywood actor Russell Crowe has walked away from a movie about New Zealand's greatest war hero due to the publicity negotiations with him attracted.
Taranaki-based film company Fat and Thin Productions is planning an $18 million movie about World War 2 hero Charles Upham, to premiere next AnzacDay.
Chief executive Matt Walsh said negotiations with Crowe broke down over the publicity that the Oscar winner could be involved with the project, the Taranaki Daily News reported.
"We were at a stage with [Crowe] that we felt confident in our ability to attract him to the contract stage.
"Media coverage led him to walk away from the project," Mr Walsh said.
Fat and Thin was believed to have talked to agents for other Hollywood stars, including Heath Ledger and Ralph Fiennes.
Homegrown actor Karl Urban was also mooted for the project.
The film has been challenged not just by casting worries but also by securing crew.
In April the director, Nigel Hutchinson, and cinematographer, Alun Bollinger, bailed out, with Bollinger later saying he had never actually signed on.
Mr Walsh admitted mistakes had been made in the production company's first film venture, which is due to start filming in November.
"We have to take it on the chin. We made mistakes and learnt lessons. The deal is not done until the ink is dry."
He said for that reason the company had been keeping its head down for several months, keeping negotiations with potential actors and crew firmly behind closed doors.
