Russell Crowe to write, direct and play Marco Pierre White in biographic film

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor

New Zealand actor Russell Crowe has signed a contract to direct, produce and star in a film about Marco Pierre White’s life.

In an interview with The Daily Mail, the chef said that a deal had been struck with Russell Crowe.

“Russell has written the script, Russell’s company is producing it, Russell is directing it and Russell is playing the third or fourth Marco”, adding that “when they do a movie on your life, you don’t just have one Marco – I am nearly 60. If there was anyone in Hollywood to play me, it would have to be Russell.”

Plans to create the film have reportedly been in the works for five years – with director Ridley Scott and either Michael Fassbender or Tom Hardy playing Marco Pierre White.

“I didn’t know Russell then,” Marco said, adding that he thought the actor should be cast for the role, but that he “[couldn’t] tell Ridley Scott how to suck eggs.”

“Shortly afterwards, Ridley came on board with Russell, so it was purely coincidental,” he added.

Marco Pierre White, renowned for having been the youngest chef to earn three Michelin stars only to give them back four years later, helped defined the British culinary scene in the late nineties.

His inaugural cookbook, White Heat, is still an educational reference to many chefs and cooks around the world, and was arguably a pillar in shaping the public’s perception of what it means to be a chef.

The chef is famously outspoken and has often stirred controversy for his views on Michelin, working conditions in the industry, and women.

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