Following his turn in The Nice Guys last year, Russell Crowe is enjoying some downtime in Sydney. The 52-year-old was pictured out and about town earlier this week, showing off a heavier frame in his casual wear. Russell may have appeared to have eased his Hollywood diet, but he hasn't lost his good humour and charm.
After a Twitter user told him that radio host Howard Stern had been poking fun at his body weight, Russell fought back with a good-natured comeback. The Oscar winner tweeted: "I can bench press young Howard... he cannot say the same..." And Russell, who won Best Actor for his stellar performance in Gladiator, had the support of his fans. His legion of followers were quick to respond, with one writing: "I know it's a cliché, but haters gonna hate. Your villagers love you!" Another replied: "I'll choose hunky charm over skinny every time."
© Photo: RexRussell was spotted out and about in Sydney
The much-loved actor is set to appear in a new adaptation of The Mummy with Tom Cruise later this year. He plays Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, while Tom takes on the role of male protagonist Nick Morton. The American actor praised his New Zealand-born co-star, telling Entertainment Tonight: "He is incredible in it. He's such a fine actor and I just had a lot of fun watching him develop that character. And we had some great scenes together – a really great fight scene between the two of us, and it was a blast doing."
© Photo: RexThe 52-year-old actor pictured in December
Meanwhile, director Ridley Scott hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing back Russell in a Gladiator sequel, despite his character dying in the film. "I know how to bring him back," Ridley said. "I was having this talk with the studio – 'but he's dead.' But there is a way of bringing him back. Whether it will happen I don't know. Gladiator was 2000, so Russell's changed a little bit. He's doing something right now but I'm trying to get him back down here."
