Ben Hur - it's bigger than Russell Crowe... just

RUSSELL Crowe admits he has a thing for historical epics. But while he made a name for himself in Gladiator and Robin Hood, his next role will be more modest.

Russell Crowe announces he will narrate the 'stadium spectacular' Ben Hur in Sydney. Picture: Craig Greenhill

RUSSELL Crowe admits he has a thing for historical epics. But while he made a name for himself in Gladiator and Robin Hood, his next role promises to be a more modest affair.

In Sydney today, the actor revealed he had agreed to be the narrator for a live action “stadium spectacular” version of Ben Hur.

The $15 million production will be held in Sydney in October and Crowe said he was more than happy to lend his voice to the show.

But he would leave the task of riding horses and engaging in combat to others.

“I think there comes a time in every gladiator's life when you've got to give the reins over to the next bloke,” he said.

Crowe, who won an Oscar for best actor in 2000 for his work on Ridley Scott's Gladiator, said he was keen to take on projects that kept him in his home town of Sydney.

He made the announcement a short distance from his home in Woolloomooloo, shortly after changing from tracksuit pants into a suit for the occasion.

“It's a gigantic production,” he said. “It's so ambitious and I just had to get involved. It's a hoot.”

However it seems likely that his voice will be pre-recorded for the show. It was previously staged in Paris in 2006, when the narrator also avoided performing live.