Shubhabrata Dutta
A prolific actor by all means, Russell Crowe’s screen presence cannot ever be overstated. In a career spanning more than 30 years, he has given us memorable characters, pulling off both positive and negative roles with equal prowess and palpable commitment. Debuting on the big screen in 1990 with ‘Prisoners of the Sun’, his movies ‘L.A. Confidential’ (1997), ‘The Insider’ (1999), ‘Gladiator’ (2000), ‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001), ‘Cinderella Man’ (2005), ‘Body of Lies’ (2008) and ‘Les Misérables’ (2012), are all proof of his grandeur and aura. So, if you want to know what the actor has in store for you in the near future and the forthcoming years, here’s a list of his upcoming projects, all sorted out.
1. Ark: The Animated Series – Part 2 (2025)
Jesse Rapczak and Jeremy Stieglitz’s ‘Ark: The Animated Series’ has been confirmed to return with its second part (Episode 7 through Episode 13). The series, which follows the adventures of paleontologist Helena Walker (Madeleine Madden has voiced) on a prehistoric island full of dinosaurs and other strange creatures, will be back with more dinosaur battles and hardcore sci-fi stuff by December 2024 at the latest. Crowe has voiced Kor the Prophet and is a “dino-whisperer.” The rest of the voice cast includes Gerard Butler, David Tennant, Michelle Yeoh, Zahn McClarnon, Jeffrey Wright, and Devery Jacobs. A specific date of release is eagerly awaited, although it is slated to arrive in 2025.
2. Nuremberg (TBA)
Currently completed post-production, ‘Nuremberg’ is a historical drama adapted from the book ‘The Nazi and the Psychiatrist’ by Jack El-Hai. The cast includes Crowe, Rami Malek, and Michael Shannon. James Vanderbilt has directed it. Set in post-World War II Germany, it will showcase the Nuremberg trials of 1946 and follow American psychologist Douglas Kelley, played by Malek, who was given the responsibility to assess the Nazi prisoners and decide whether they are fit for trial for their war crimes. One of his patients was Hermann Göring, Adolf Hitler’s right-hand man, to be played by Crowe, with whom Kelley found himself in a battle of wits. The role of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, who was the chief prosecutor of the trials, will be played by Shannon.
It needs to be mentioned that though Göring was sentenced to death for his heinous crimes, he took his own life before his sentence could be carried out. The rest of the film’s cast includes Leo Woodall, Lydia Peckham, Richard E. Grant, Wrenn Schmidt, and Colin Hanks. It waits to be seen how the creators show all this on the big screen. Details about a potential release date are awaited.
3. Bear Country (TBA)
Helmed by Derrick Borte, ‘Bear Country’ follows a man named Manco Kapak, played by Crowe, who is stuck between cartel bosses and a mysterious buyer; both parties want his club that, by the way, has been robbed by a masked gunman. With his dream life with his girlfriend, which he dreamed of after selling the club, now in jeopardy, Kapak has to find a way out. Borte and Daniel Forte have written the script based on Thomas Perry’s novel ‘Strip.’ The cast also includes Aaron Paul, Teresa Palmer, Nina Dobrev, Luke Evans, Jolene Blalock, and Daniel Zovatto. Production is underway, and more details are awaited.
4. The Billion Dollar Spy (TBA)
Crowe will star alongside Willa Fitzgerald and Harry Lawtey in the biographical thriller movie ‘The Billion Dollar Spy,’ based on the life of Adolf Tolkachev, Pentagon’s most valuable spy. With Amma Asante at its helm, the film is adapted from David E. Hoffman’s book by Stephen Gaghan and Ben August.
Set during the late Cold War, the film follows Tolkachev (Crowe), who risked everything to pass thousands of pages of top-secret Soviet intelligence to the United States. Despite repeated rejections by the CIA, Tolkachev didn’t give up, taking a brave stand against a regime that betrayed its own people. He finally found an ally in CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey) and was able to shift the balance of power. Fitzgerald will play Mae Lenihan, wife of CIA agent Tom Lenihan. Currently in its pre-production stage, the film awaits a release date.
5. The Last Druid (TBA)
Crowe will take on the Roman Empire, once again after ‘Gladiator,’ in Will Eubank’s action drama ‘The Last Druid.’ The Amazon Studios-backed film will tell the story of a Roman Emperor who discovers a secluded Druid stronghold in the mountains of Caledonia. A peaceful Celtic elder (Crowe) must thus take up arms to protect his family and people from annihilation. Additional casting is underway. Eubank penned the script with Phil Gawthorne and Carlyle Eubank. The project is in its pre-production stage and is awaiting a production schedule.
6. American Son (TBA)
‘American Son’ is a prison drama movie directed by Andrew “Rapman” Onwubolu, which revolves around a man who is recruited into a gang by a ruthless mobster while serving in prison only to plot his rise up the chain of hierarchy by establishing his own multiracial regime. While Crowe plays the role of the mobster, Stephan James plays the recruit.
The movie is based on the Oscar-nominated French film ‘A Prophet’ (2009), directed by Jacques Audiard, with the screenplay adapted by Dennis Lehane. As of 2020, Original Film and Paramount Players are the producers. Paramount Pictures is in charge of the distribution. The movie is presently in its pre-production stages, and as of now, only Crowe and Stephan James are the two cast members that we know are there in the film. Further updates about the movie are awaited, including a release date.
7. The Beast in Me (TBA)
Directed by Tyler Atkins, ‘The Beast In Me’ is a sports drama movie that tells the story of a former fighter who presently works at a steel mill. After suffering a personal tragedy, he decides to train again with the help of a veteran fighter and avenge the tragedy by taking part in an MMA match against a savage opponent.
The cast includes Daniel MacPherson as the fighter, Russell Crowe as the veteran, and George Burgess as the opponent fighter (potential). The story has been written by David Frigerio. The movie has Broken Open Pictures, Storm Alley Entertainment, Armagh Films, and Eclectik Vision as its producers. Other than Crowe and MacPherson, the cast includes Luke Hemsworth, Raphael Sbarge, Kelly Gale, Mojean Aria, and George Burgess. The movie is currently in its post-production stage, and further updates are awaited.
8. Last Breath (TBA)
‘Last Breath’ is a musical documentary directed by Russell Crowe. It follows Crowe and his band, Indoor Garden Party, on their recent Europe tour as well as previous tours and shows in the US, UK, and Australia. The documentary aims to showcase Crowe’s love for music and he has been shooting material for it since 2011. The project is currently in its filming stage, and further updates about its production and release are awaited.
Read More: Is Gladiator Based on a True Story?
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