Russell Crowe almost missed out on Romper Stomper role that kickstarted career: director

The director of one of Russell Crowe’s first major movies has revealed how and why he was almost snubbed for the role.

Russell Crowe was almost snubbed from the movie that catapulted him to Hollywood, according to a new claim from the filmmaker behind Romper Stomper.

While he might now be considered one of the world’s greatest actors, Crowe was almost overlooked to play Hando in the cult classic film Romper Stomper.

Russell Crowe in Romper Stomper.

Speaking to James Phelps in his new book Australia’s Most Infamous Jail, Inside the Walls of Pentridge Prison, Romper Stomper writer and director Geoffrey Wright has revealed the film’s producers wanted to sign Ben Mendelsohn to star as lead character “Hando” in the future hit.

“There was pressure on us to cast Ben Mendelsohn as Hando,” Wright said.

“At that point Ben was a recognised star, whereas Russell was relatively unknown outside of New Zealand. Russell had just gained appreciative reviews for his supporting role in Jocelyn Moorhouse’s movie Proof but that was all. Still, his work demonstrated an energy that I thought would turn Romper Stomper’s antagonist, Hando, into a charismatic monster, a really unforgettable villain. But I had a tough time convincing the investors of that.”

Crowe, who was paid a staggering $20 million for Master and Commander, Far Side of the World, was not considered “bankable” before he pulled off a minor miracle by somehow making a repugnant racist palatable.

James Phelps' new audiobook, The Real Romper Stomper, which is out now. Picture: Supplied

“Ben was very bankable with Australian audiences,” Wright said.

“His loyal fans would go see his movies and the investors wanted that security. Daniel Scharf, one of the two producers of Romper Stomper, and I, were the only ones that wanted Russell but we argued our case and got our way. As good as Ben would have been, Russell took Romper Stomper to a whole other level with a transcendent performance. There’s no other actor in the world who could have done it better.”

Russell Crowe with Jacqueline McKenzie in a scene from the movie.

Andrew Kirby showing the last of his racist tattoos, a swastika he is saving to have covered up.

While Mendelhson would not get his Hollywood shot until 2012 in the Dark Knight after Animal Kingdom became an international hit, Crowe was acting alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Gene Hackman in the Quick and the Dead after his performance in Romper Stomper caught the eye of the then Hollywood "It" girl Sharon Stone.

In Romper Stomper, Crowe played the role of Hando – the leader of a racist gang that terrorised a Vietnamese community in North Melbourne.

Originally based on a suburban youth gang called the ‘Sharpies’, Romper Stomper partly drew inspiration from the crimes of Dane Sweetman, Martin Bayston and Andrew Kirby.

GIVEAWAY: Listen to Andrew Kirby’s full and shocking story, The Real Romper Stomper, in a five-part “Bookcast” exclusively on Bookenstein. Go to Bookenstein.com.au to claim your free download.

Originally published as Russell Crowe almost missed out on Romper Stomper role that kickstarted career: director