Russell Crowe may still be a strong international draw (Robin Hood made twice as much money in the rest of the world as it did in the US), but one thing he doesn’t have is an action franchise. Where Matt Damon has Bourne, Johnny Depp has Pirates, and George Clooney and Brad Pitt have the Ocean’s movies, Crowe just has a co-dependent relationship with director Ridley Scott. With the Gladiator star fighting flab at 46, it’s now or never, which explains why he’s asking fans to demand another Master And Commander movie. “If you want a Master and Commander sequel I suggest you e-mail Tom Rothman at Fox and let him know your thoughts,” Crowe tweeted yesterday, interrupting his usual comments about his children’s horses and cricket players.
Public protests aside, it seems unlikely Crowe will get his wish. Though one of his better-remembered movies, Master And Commander underperformed at the box office, failing to pass the $100 million mark stateside—an accomplishment only American Gangster and Robin Hood have achieved since his early ’00s heyday. Considering the original Master was budgeted at $150 million, and sequels usually cost more, Fox probably woudn’t take the risk on Crowe’s dream unless there was some extra insurance. Hmm, maybe Shia LaBeouf can play his young apprentice? Now that’s a guy who can get a sequel made.
[Photo: Getty Images]
