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EXCLUSIVE: Russell Crowe is seriously considering starring in and making his feature directorial debut in 77. The period cop movie has a script by David Matthews, a rewrite of an original screenplay by LA Confidential‘s James Ellroy. Dick Wolf and Tony Ganz are producing. Crowe has been itching to make his directing debut for years and this sounds like a dynamite premise. The drama connects two stories from 1974. It deals with the unsolved murder of an LAPD officer, and the nationally televised shootout in South Central L.A. between the Symbionese Liberation Army and the LAPD, where 50,000 rounds of gunfire were exchanged. The events will be seen through the eyes of two police partners, one black and one white. Crowe was attached to Bra Boys, the dramatic adaptation of the documentary about outlaw surfers in Australia, and before that flirted with directing the Australia-based WWII drama The Long Green Shore, based on the novel by John Hepworth. He’s awaiting a rewrite of the 77 script to see if this one will be the charm. WME reps him and the agency reps Matthews with Schiff Company.
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Yeah!!! bring it!
James Ellroy is the greatest crime storyteller of our time. It will be interesting to see if Russell Crowe has the chops to handle the sophistication of the material.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to suggest Ellroy is the “greatest crime storyteller of our time” (I’d put James Lee Burke, Ian Rankin, Walter Moseley, maybe Pelecanos alongside Ellroy if not higher) this certainly sounds like a kick-ass project and I’d love to see the movie!
I love Ruseel Crowe, but I think he’s too talented to play a role of a cop, he sneezes and nails the role, I like him in more complex roles where his talent can be really put to good use. If he just want to direct it for the sake of trying for the first time, why not? I think there are just too many cops shows and movies and they’re not doing well. The writers have to start working harder and more imaginative! I loved him in the Gladiator!
cant play the role of a cop????? try being a real cop!!!! BUt did you know that this is a true story and the family reads this and it is upsetting so be careful who you put down. A cop is a noble profession
Ellroy is definitely one of the best and the movie adaptation of L.A. Confidential is definitely one of Crowe’s best. This sounds like a terrific project, I hope it works out.
I thought his career was over.
Ahem. This should be interesting.
Very happy. As a fan I have not felt like he has been “all in” since Cinderella Man. This will bring it out again for sure.
I think Russell Crowe has made some interesting films over the years, maybe this will be one the better ones.
Ellroy is absolutely one of the best, although his tv show was horrible. Early Ellroy, even before “Black Dahlia” is incredible. At one point William Peterson had his book, “Clandestine”, and was going to make a movie of it, and then, nothing. Any insight out there?
I read a draft in ’05 or ’06 and thought it was terrific. Hope this finally gets off the ground.
Ellroy and Crowe, both ridiculously overrated.
Speaking of which, who owns the film rights to the old TV private-eye series “77 Sunset Strip”? Wonder why nobody has ever developed this chestnut with a great brand….
I’ve viewed a lot of films in my time and Crowe’s movies have been some of the best I’ve seen. There are greater Russell Crowe movies and lesser Crowe movies. His film characters are always worth watching. which is more than I can say for other Hollywood actors.This looks to be an interesting project and I am looking forward to it.
Any thing Russell Crowe does is worth watching……..I know I will be a fan.
Well, here is a great example of how Hollywood is trying to stampde over a families sorrow and loss of the “LA POLICEMAN” since this officers case is still open how do they have the rights to this story about the cop?????? where is their info coming from???? I didnt know you could sell a familyies tradejed w/o the family even knowing!!!!!! SHAME ON YOU EVERYONE INVOVLED IN THIS PROJECT!!!!!!! I really think some of you people enjoying reading about a cop that was killed when his children were 6 and 1…what about their thoughts?? THIS IS A TRUE STORY NOT FICTION!!!! How could people be so money hungry to make a movie on a dead cops blood and his families misery since the horrible day in 1974
SHAME ON YOU RUSSEL CROWE AND WHOEVER ELSE IS INVOLVED IN THIS!!!!
This is not a closed case and the case remains unsolved- This Officer gave his life and it is disgusting the facts would be scewed to make a buck-Shame on you Russell Crowe and Paramount