First look at Russell Crowe in True History Of The Kelly Gang movie

RUSSELL Crowe is shooting a Ned Kelly movie in Victoria right now with some huge international stars. And boy, his beard is quite impressive.

RUSSELL Crowe’s new facial hair is un-beard-lievable!

The New Zealand-born actor, 54, has been snapped for the first time on the set of his upcoming movie, True History Of The Kelly Gang.

Russell plays bushranger Henry Power who had Ned Kelly serve as his apprentice.

Based on the 2000 novel by Peter Carey about Ned Kelly and his gang fleeing from authorities during the 1870s, Crowe will appear alongside Mad Max: Fury Road star Nicholas Hoult, Game of Thrones star Essie Davis, Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam and Love My Way’s Claudia Karvan.

It’s believed that Crowe is playing Harry Power, an Irish convict who was sent to Australia in 1842 where he went on to become a prolific bushranger.

He claimed to have pulled off over 600 robberies in Australia and took on Ned Kelly as an apprentice.

Russell Crowe as Henry Power.

The real Henry Power.

Kelly will be played in the movie by British actor George MacKay, 26, who has been seen in Captain Fantastic, Pride and Peter Pan.

The movie, which is currently being filmed in Victoria, is being directed by Justin Kurzel who is best known for Snowtown, Macbeth and Assassin’s Creed.

“Peter Carey’s book True History Of The Kelly Gang always felt like the true spirit of Ned Kelly,” the Aussie director said in a statement about the movie.

“Unsentimental, brutal, raw and visceral. His story is one of the great odysseys in history, and I feel excited to be bringing it to the screen with a fresh cinematic eye. This is a really unique and modern cast, and I am so proud to be working with such a talented ensemble of new faces and celebrated actors.”

George MacKay is playing Ned Kelly.

MacKay as Ned Kelly, complete with mullet.