Bloody Ashes

[DB7]

Russell Crowe's Bloody new movie
October 19, 2006

Oscar Winner Russell Crowe and rising actress Holly Valance are in talks to star in a Matthew Vaughn ("Layer Cake") produced film about the legendary Australian cricketer, Donald Bradman. The film, "The Bloody Ashes", is expected to start next year.

Crowe has apparently expressed interest in playing Bill Woodruff, Bradman's captain during the 1932-33 Ashes series, whilst Valance is expected to be sought for the role of Bradman's wife, Jessie.

Producers are said to be scouting cricket clubs to find a young actor to play Bradman. Co writer Peter Clifton tells The Herald-Sun that they don't just want good actors, they want actors "who can play cricket properly, so we can achieve the authenticity needed for the film". The chosen actor will be required to go undergo an intensive 6-month acting course, in addition to tuning up his cricket skills.

Other actors being sought for the $30 million dollar movie include someone to play English captain Douglas Jardine and his star first bowler Harold Lawford.

Donald Bradman, aka The Don, was an Australian cricketer who is universally regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, and is one of Australia's most popular sporting heroes. His Test batting average of 99.94 is by some measures the greatest statistical performance of all time in any major sport.

The last actor to play Bradman on screen was Gary Sweet ("Macbeth"), who gave life to the legend in the 1984 mini-series "Bodyline"

Update : Crowe's people are denying the claim that he is attached to the project - - obviously it's a case of someone 'wanting him to be attached' and not much more. Hmmm.

[bloodworm]

Looks like we will be having an Indian or Pakisatni batsman playing the part then after recent international results...