RUSSELL CROWE - CROWE TO TAKE OVER TROUBLED EUCALYPTUS

LATEST: RUSSELL CROWE is taking over directorial responsibilities on troubled Australian movie EUCALYPTUS only a week after FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES put it on hold, citing script concerns.

The GLADIATOR star has been spotted conducting technical surveys of possible locations with the project's director of photography MANDY WALKER near the New South Wales town of Bellingen.

Crowe is set to appear alongside NICOLE KIDMAN in the big screen adaptation of MURRAY BAIL's novel.

An insider says, "An actor on a technical survey doesn't happen, nor is it something that you'd expect an executive producer to be doing."

Another source slammed Fox's announcement last week (ends11FEB05), branding it a smokescreen for the real issue surrounded an unnamed member of the film's cast.

The source explains, "That press release Fox Searchlight is issuing is garbage. It's a certain actor's fault this project fell apart. There were no script problems, just ego problems."

Despite Crowe's appearance, movie experts predict filming won't start until later in the year (05) - and the OSCAR-winner will be fortunate to retain his technical crew.

The source adds, "Anyone who has been burnt by this would have to be desperate to go back on that job."