The Oscar winner portrays the Vatican’s real-life paranormal investigator Father Gabriele Amorth in a new terror tale.
Russell Crowedoes not like scary movies.
“No, I’m not really a horror film fella,” the Oscar winner tells EW.
Russell Crowe in ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’.Jonathan Hession
“I like to sleep deeply at nighttime.”
Croweishoping to give cinemagoers interrupted slumbers with his new filmThe Pope’s Exorcist(in theaters April 14).
So how did the horror movie-dislikingGladiatorstar wind up starring in one?
Daniel Zovatto and Russell Crowe in ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’.Jonathan Hession
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Did you enjoy makingThe Pope’s Exorcist?
It looked like you were having fun.
RUSSELL CROWE:Well, to adegree.
I mean, I really enjoyed where we were staying.
The cast was really good company and we socialized a bit off the set as well.
The crew were extremely competent and had that very pragmatic, Irish sense of humor.
The whole cast was very connected.
But we had a reading together before the movie started and got connected.
But when you’re doing a movie like this, the hours do start to grind on you.
And the circumstances that you’re in.
[Chuckles] And just things like shooting at nighttime under rain towers and stuff like that.
I’m 55 and I’m going to have to disagree with you on that, Russell.
Well, how many nights under rain towers have you ever shot, Clark?
That’s a very good point.
[Laughs]
You got to work with Franco Nero.
What was that like?
Oh, it was fantastic, man.
Because, Franco Nero, I have been watching his movies for a long, long time.
We actually met one time, ‘round about the time of the release ofL.A.
Confidential, I believe.
We had a very convivial conversation and agreed it would be great to work together.
Cut to however many years later, we finally did.
I had a very funny moment on set with Franco.
He’s having particular trouble with one line.
I can’t get that f—ing line!"
[Laughs uproariously]
What’s next for you?
I just finished a movie in Melbourne calledSleeping Dogsthat’s based on the E.O.
Chirovici bookThe Book of Mirrors.
Another one I did last year was calledKraven the Hunter(out Oct. 6).
That’s one of those Marvel movies.
I’m actually just about to go on tour with my band and do a little bit of music.
This tour’s going to have some pubs, and some clubs, and some theaters.
It’s only about 18 dates, or whatever, but I’m very much looking forward to that.
Could you imagine playing Father Amorth again ifThe Pope’s Exorcistis successful?
I don’t know, man.
[Laughs] It’s like the kiss of death.
The Pope’s Exorcisthits theaters April 14.
Watch the film’s trailer above.
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