Russell Crowe announced as host of AACTA Awards with Robbie Williams set to perform

The 2025 AACTA Awards just got injected with Hollywood star power with Russell Crowe leading the pack along with a massive pop star.

The upcoming AACTA Awards just got the Hollywood treatment with big-name stars Russell Crowe, Robbie Williams and Henry Cavill set to attend.

The ceremony held at the HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, on February 7 will see Crowe take to the stage as host.

The Academy Award winner is the president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) and will take over the reins from last year’s host Rebel Wilson.

Russell Crowe has been announced at host of the 2025 AACTA Awards. Picture: Pietro S. D'Aprano/Getty Images

Williams also adds to the star power as he performs his hit song Angels, marking his return to Australia just two months after performing at the Sydney Opera House for the ABC’s New Year’s Eve spectacular.

The British pop star’s new biopic Better Man has racked up 16 AACTA nominations this year – the most ever received by a single film in the awards’ 66-year history.

The doco was directed by Aussie filmmaker Michael Gracey, who is up for Best Direction – the film also received nods for Best Screenplay, Best Film, as well as multiple acting, technical and creative honours.

Robbie Williams was last in Australia in January for NYE and to perform a mini concert at Federation Square in Melbourne. Picture: NewsWire/Jason Edwards

“The Better Man movie is something I’m extremely proud of. For this movie to be embraced by the AACTA membership, with a record-breaking 16 AACTA Award nominations, is a very special moment for me,” Williams said in a statement.

“I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone down under soon — it’s going to be an unforgettable night!”

At the event, Crowe will also have the honour of presenting the inaugural AACTA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the iconic music legend Paul Kelly.

British actor Henry Cavill was announced as one of the presenters at the ceremony. Picture: AAP Image/Yonhap News Agency

The iconic musician has been a key part of Australian screen culture for the past four decades with his hit Dumb Things used in Young Einstein (1988), and Kelly also provided the score for Lantana (2001) and Jindabyne (2006).

Last year, Kelly’s hit How to Make Gravy was turned into a film adaptation by BINGE starring Daniel Henshall and Hugo Weaving, which has been nominated for a whopping 15 AACTAs, including Best Film, Best Lead Actor in Film for Henshall, Best Supporting Actor in Film for both Damon Herriman and Weaving, and Best Supporting Actress in Film for Kate Mulvany.

“When music and pictures join up in just the right way they both get better. It’s been an honour to be part of that dance,” Kelly said in a statement.

Cavill, best known for playing Clark Kent/Superman in the DC Extended Universe, comes on-board as a presenter alongside Sophie Monk, Asher Keddie, Teresa Palmer and many others.

The 2025 AACTA Awards airs on Friday, February 7 at 7.30pm on Ten

Originally published as Russell Crowe announced as host of AACTA Awards with Robbie Williams set to perform