'A Good Year' would be the second out of the three planned collaborations between hit filmmaker Ridley Scott and household actor Russell Crowe and, judging by what the director says, their professional relationship has reached a brand new level, moving over such obstacles as the Australian's quick temper and inclination towards violent language.

Scott and Crowe met on the set of 'Gladiator' and the outcome was... well, most of us know. It soon became a cult movie that inspired many other box-office hits ('Troy' and 'King Arthur' being probably the more illustrative examples) and that changed the entire perception the public had on historical movies.

Now, the two are working on 'A good Year' and they will continue their collaboration with 'American Gangster', said to start shooting some time next year. And, contrary to what some believe, Russell's rather short patience was never an impediment in working with him, says Scott. Because it takes one to know one or, as the director himself put it, 'I think we're both pains in the neck. That's why probably we get on'.

Scott had only laudatory words for the Oscar-winning actor when he spoke to a 'Time' Magazine reporter: 'Really, what it is, is Russell is very smart and therefore asks all sorts of intelligent questions, so if you're not ready you're going to get caught in the crossfire. So you'd better be ready. I'm used to him now. He's fundamentally a bit of a puppy dog'.

As to the way 'A Good Year' will be received by critics, the director preferred to keep an open mind both to the possibility of being a flop or a success, saying the very same words that he said when he was waiting for 'Kingdom of Heaven' to premiere: 'You can never tell'.