RUSSELL CROWE GENEROUS AT RESTAURANT

Russell Crowe

Hollywood star Russell Crowe was very generous during a recent trip to a restaurant, after he tipped the staff $900 bucks. Russell was taking time out from filming his new Robin Hood film in Wales, and treated his fellow stars to a posh meal at a nearby restaurant. The food and drink bill came to $360, and Crowe shocked staff by tipping more than double the bill amount. A staff member says, "The bar staff don't get tips. Our boss has shared it between all of us who worked that night so we will be taking home about $60."And Crowe also treated customers to an impromptu concert, belting out Bryan Adams' song "Summer Of '69" with help from former "ER" actor Scott Grimes and "X-Men" star Kevin Durand, who are also filming for the Ridley Scott movie.

Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna

RUSSELL CROWE TO REPLACE BRAD PITT

Russell Crowe will replace Brad Pitt in 'State of Play'. The Oscar-winning actor has joined the cast - which includes Edward Norton, Dame Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn and Rachel McAdams - saving the project from being closed down. Universal Pictures had threatened to sue Brad when he pulled out of the film two weeks ago due to "script concerns", however, the company is now expected to drop its legal threats. The film - adapted from the original BBC mini-series by 'Lions for Lambs' scriptwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan and helmed by 'The Last King of Scotland' director Kevin Macdonald - tells the story of a journalist investigating a murder involving a fast-rising politician. Russell, 43, will begin filming 'State of Play' next month, before starting his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Ridley Scott's 'Nottingham' - a unique adaptation of the traditional Robin Hood story.

RUSSELL CROWE WANTS TO BE BAPTISED

Russell Crowe wants to get baptised. The 43-year-old actor and his wife Danielle are planning to baptise their sons - Charlie, three, and Tennyson, one - and the Australian actor has decided he should join them. Russell said: "I'd like to do it this year. My parents decided to let my brother and me make our own decisions about God when we got to the right age. "I started thinking recently, 'If I believe it is important to baptise my kids, why not me?' I do believe there are more important things than what is in the mind of a man. There is something much bigger that drives us all. I'm willing to take that leap of faith." The Oscar-winning actor admitted he has a tendency for getting into fights, but insists it is only because his intentions are so "pure". He said: "Look, I call a spade a spade. I don't deny that. But my intention, for want of a better word, is a certain purity." Russell, who has a macho reputation, also revealed he is in touch with his feminine side. He said: "I love going shopping. I have a black belt in it! My wife really appreciates that in me. Whatever you need, mate, I'll get it." Although the 'American Gangster' star often indulges his retail passion, he doesn't pretend to understand women. He added in an interview with Men's Journal magazine: "Look, when it comes to women, you are talking about mysteries that haven't been unravelled by the wisest scholars of all time. I'm not going to be able to do that. But I can teach my sons to respect them."

RUSSELL CROWE WILL BE ROBIN HOOD

Russell Crowe will star in a remake of Robin Hood - as a "noble" Sheriff of Nottingham. The 'Gladiator' star will take the lead role in 'Nottingham', a twist on the usual tale featuring the lawman as the hero working for a corrupt king. The "noble and brave" character will investigate a murder in which outlaw Robin Hood is the main suspect. An industry insider said: "It's a role that will suit Russell. The part is something he'll be able to get his teeth into." The film will also feature a love triangle between the Sheriff, Robin Hood and Maid Marion. The revisionist take on the Robin Hood legend will give the outlaw a darker side than previous versions. The idea was conceived by writers Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris, whose previous films include 'Bulletproof Monk'. Universal reportedly fought off a number of rival studios for the rights to make the film, including Warner Bros and New Line. A director is yet to be confirmed for the film, slated for a 2009 release, but both 'Gladiator' director Ridley Scott and 'Spider Man 3' filmmaker Sam Raimi have been linked with the project.