Crowe Snaps Up Irwin Biopic

Inevitably, after the outpouring of grief for Australia's favourite outback adventurer Steve Irwin, film-makers are not wasting time laying plans for a tribute biopic. It's perhaps equally inevitable that the Australia's most successful larrikin star Russell Crowe is leading the charge.

According to a report on the Sydney Morning Herald's website, the Oscar-winning Gladiator actor is already in talks with Universal about the project, in which he wants to play the maverick wildlife expert. Crowe was a friend of the celebrated crocodile hunter, who was killed in a freak accident earlier this month while diving off the Great Barrier Reef, pierced by a barb from a usually pacific stingray.

An anonymous "insider" says that Crowe once told Irwin that he wanted to play him in a movie version of his life. "It's not about money for Russell - it's about honouring his friend."

A video tribute from Crowe was played at last week's public memorial service for Irwin, where he said: "We've all lost a friend, we've lost a champion, and we're going to take some time to adjust to that."

The project is only in the preliminary stages, but given that the public's affection and grief for Irwin has led to Australian TV executives releasing a DVD of the memorial service it sounds like a surefire commercial bet that is very likely to be made.