Russel Will Not Play Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter'

In the past weeks and especially after the heart-rending speech that the Oscar-winning actor Russel Crowe delivered on occasion of Steve Irwin's memorial, the Australian press was rather busy at spreading rumors about an upcoming biopic.

Every newspaper and tabloid picked up the rumor and spread it to the four winds, saying that Crowe was in talks with Universal Pictures, a studio that intended to make the movie about Steve's life and tragic death and that Russel wanted to play the part of his late friend.

Obviously upset by this, the actor took some time off shooting 'American Gangster' and, in an interview with 'Extra', set the record straight on how things really are. Yes, he believes that a movie should be made about Steve, but he (Russel says) will not play his part.

'There's no truth to that [the rumor] whatsoever. That's one of those appalling pieces of sh*t that come out of the press. While my friend's body is still warm, I'm being accused of doing commerce over his grave, and it absolutely disgusts me', the actor, who had some serious altercations with the journalists before, said.

'Should there be a movie about Steve? For sure. What an incredible and unique life he led. His childhood growing up with his mum and dad in a reptile park, but his ambitions turning that simple reptile park into the greatest Zoo in Australia and, from my individual perspective, the place that really cares about animals. What people really don't understand about Steven is Steven was, first and foremost, a conservationist, probably the most individually active conservationist in the world. What he stood for was far more than being the funny guy on TV. Serious people at serious universities realized who he really was', Crowe explained.