RUSSELL CROWE - CROWE 'FALL OUT' WITH WEINSTEIN ALMOST ENDED CINDERELLA MAN

RUSSELL CROWE almost missed out appearing in his forthcoming movie CINDERELLA MAN - after falling out with movie boss HARVEY WEINSTEIN.

The MIRAMAX founder made the fateful error of calling the temperamental OSCAR-winning actor too early in the day to arrange a meeting to discuss him playing depression-era fighter JIM BRADDOCK in the drama.

Crowe tells American magazine GQ Weinstein told him to "get f**ked" after the actor responded moodily to his wake-up call.

"I rang my agent and said, 'Hey, Harvey just told me to get f**ked before 9am."

Weinstein, who is actually friends with his leading man, comments, "Good trash talking is at the core of this strong friendship I share with Russell.

"Yes, I did chase him down and as you will see from Cinderella Man, it was worth it."