Russell Crowe was vocal in his desire to portray comedian Bill Hicks on the big screen. It has been a passion project for him for years and it looks like that passion will continue behind the camera.
Crowe will make his feature directing debut with a film about the life of Hicks. Crowe’s close friend mark Staufer wrote the screenplay and broke the news that the film will begin production next year.
“It is a huge role for someone, made all the more special, or downright scary, by the fact the director is an Oscar-winning actor like Russell,” Staufer said.
Crowe bears an uncanny resemblance to the late comedian, but seeing that Hicks died in 1994 at the age of 32, the 48 year old actor is a bit past taking the role himself. No word on who will be considered for the movie.
Hicks is considered one of the best comedians of all time and was quite controversial. The film will likely explore the multiple issues of censorship that Hicks faced in his life as well as his falling out with former friend Denis Leary.
I am excited for this project and also to see if Crowe will be able to successfully move to the director’s chair. I am definitely rooting for this movie to be made well. Let’s hope Crowe ends up alongside Eastwood, Howard, Clooney, and Affleck as successful actors turned directors.
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