Russell Crowe rules out Mark Wahlberg of being in Bra Boys film

RUSSELL Crowe has driven a stake through speculation American actor Mark Wahlberg will play Koby Abberton in a movie about the Bra Boy leader and his brothers.

While Abberton was keen on the idea when it was first floated last year, Crowe – who will co-produce the film – has insisted that it must be true to Australia.

“Why would you do that?” Crowe told UK Sky News yesterday of the Wahlberg rumour.

“That’s like asking Gary Oldman to be in Romper Stomper – it takes away from one of the important things about it.

“This is a great Australian story and it belongs to the Australian film industry … it’s all well and good to finance it from overseas because film is an international medium but we’ve got great actors in our country.”

The film – My Brother’s Keeper – is based on a book by Charles Miranda and Angela Kamper, journalists with The Daily Telegraph.

It is the story of the killing of eastern suburbs standover man and convicted rapist Anthony Hines by Abberton’s brother Jai – and the aftermath in which that saw him acquitted of murder.

Crowe helped negotiate sale rights to US film company Universal, and said the project was well advanced.

Crowe also gave the firmist indication yet that he may direct it.

He said: “We’re on our third different take on the story, probably on our second draft of our third take.

“We’re now in a place where we’re trying it a third way, and it’s a little more satisfying in terms of the punch of the overall film.”

As for his role above co-producer, Crowe said: “It may be (director) or it may end up being something that I’m interested in …

“(Something) that I shepherd for a while and hand on to someone else.

“I go kind of hot and cold with it, whether it’s something I specifically want to do.

“But it’s set up in the right way and has the right production company attached to it, who are not impatient.”
Source: News.com.au