Actor Lincoln Lewis lifts lid on working alongside Russell Crowe

A Gold Coast actor has revealed what time on set with Oscar winner Russell Crowe was really like as buzz builds for Australia’s big film and TV festival kick off. SEE THE DETAILS

Gold Coast actor Lincoln Lewis says time on set with Oscar winner Russell Crowe was “worth its weight in gold” as buzz builds for Australia’s big film and TV festival kick off.

Lewis, a former Home and Away actor who is making his way in movies, recounted to the Bulletin working alongside A-lister Crowe during filming of Land of Bad on the Gold Coast in late 2022.

Lincoln Lewis, featuring in Land of Bad with Russell Crowe, Liam Hemsworth and Luke Hemsworth. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The Land of Bad industry premiere is at the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts on Wednesday night, effectively kickstarting the four-day Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) festival.

Lewis, who also starred alongside Liam and Luke Hemsworth (the latter is on the Gold Coast for AACTA), said of the filming experience alongside Crowe:

“When Russell Crowe and I got to share our scene, I got to watch that man do his thing and see how he operates beforehand, during the collaborative process, and then even in the times he wasn’t on set,” he said.

“Just being able to chat with him and how he prepares for everything – that experience is worth its weight in gold.”

Lewis will present awards at the AACTA Industry Awards on Thursday night, scheduled to be hosted by American singer and pianist Harry Connick Jr.

Lewis will also present at Saturday night’s glamour AACTA Awards being hosted by Aussie actor/comedian Rebel Wilson.

Lewis said the festival would encompass days of “non-stop events, (red) carpets and big names”. They include two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, American director Ron Howard, who’s filming his production Eden on the Gold Coast with actors Jude Law and Sydney Sweeney.

Cate Blanchett. Picture: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

“Seeing all these big names is just fantastic,” Lewis said.

“It’s such a good start for the AACTAs to be on the Gold Coast – it’s a real show of just what the city is becoming – our industry's hub.”

The Gold Coast’s homegrown Hollywood superstar Margot Robbie touched down in the state on the weekend ahead of Saturday night’s award ceremony where she’s due to receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award.

The AACTA festival runs until Sunday and with over 90 events, including free outdoor screenings of 10 Things I Hate About You and Barbie, filmmaking and acting workshops, Blanchett in conversation, and opportunities to meet the creators of Colin from Accounts.

Other highlights include former News Ltd feature writer Trent Dalton turned novelist hosting a conversation after his Boy Swallows Universe novel was turned into a TV series.

There are other sessions on stunt work on hit George Miller-directed film MAD MAX: FURY ROAD and experts talking about the revolutionary special effects for Keanu Reeves hit THE MATRIX.

Lewis added: “It’s a celebration of everyone’s work and the arts as a whole. There’s a real good feel about where the industry is heading here on the Gold Coast, everyone’s frothing.

“Sydney and Melbourne have always had the big shows, now that’s here.

“Not only are all these jobs coming to the city’s studios for both domestic and international productions.”

The AACTA festival and awards nights are locked in on the Gold Coast for the next three years.

The Aussie actor added: “There’s a lot more opportunity and a lot more growth still to happen.”

More than 17,000 people have registered so far for festival events. Registrations available via aactafestival.com

Russell Crowe at Burleigh. Picture: Scott Powick

Crowe, who was instrumental in getting the AACTA festival to the Gold Coast, said in a recent interview with the Bulletin that moving the awards was a “huge indicator for the amount of respect that the film industry has within Queensland”.

“The Gold Coast has earnt it. They’ve earnt the right to show off,” he said, referring to the city’s growing reputation as a place to make movies and shows as “Goldywood”.

“Bottom line, it’s a great place to make a film.”