Russell Crowe 'Too Fat For New Movie Role'

Russell Crowe has been told he's too fat for his new movie role.

The Academy Award-winning actor is due to play the sheriff of Nottingham in the upcoming Robin Hood film directed by Ridley Scott.

But the British director has reportedly told Crowe he needs to lose a few pounds for the role. Scott previously directed Crowe in the film Gladiator, a role that earned the actor his Oscar.

The upcoming film puts a spin on the Robin Hood story with Crowe's sheriff portrayed as a noble man whose corrupt king is to blame for the oppressive taxes on his subjects. Crowe's character will compete with Robin Hood for the love of Maid Marian, played by British actress Sienna Miller.

According to Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, "[Scott] is one of the only directors on earth who could ask [Crowe] to slim down."