Russell Crowe on set of Robin Hood in Wales (picture by PA)
TWO-time Oscar winner Russell Crowe has injured himself on the set of his latest film when a stunt “went slightly wrong”.
The 45-year-old actor, who is known for doing his own stunts and throwing himself into his roles, badly bruised his heels last Thursday after jumping from a port cullis (I’ll explain that in a minute) in an action scene in Robin Hood.
The mishap occurred during a scene in which his character and cohorts had a French castle under siege. “As you do!” Crowe told me in an email overnight.
Even though he’s been in a “a great deal of pain”, the injury has not affected filming and Crowe – who spent the weekend with his family in London and managed to limp around the hallowed ground at Lords for the latest Ashes series – will be back on set for more action and adventure this week.
“I start another fight scene Tuesday. Hoping things will have settled down by then,” he wrote.
Crowe is starring as Robin Hood in the film being helmed by his good mate, Ridley Scott, who directed Crowe to his first Academy Award for best actor in the brilliant Gladiator in 2001. It is the fifth film on which they have worked together, the last being the 2008 Body of Lies co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Crowe’s Maid Marian is Cate Blanchett.
It’s not the first time the Kiwi-born star has been hurt while making a movie: he suffered a shoulder injury while filming the Ron Howard-directed Cinderella Man in 2004.
And what exactly is a port cullis? It’s an iron or wooden grate that protects the entrances to medieval castles and forts, preventing invasion by raiders and pillagers.
Robin Hood is due to be released in 2010.
