**March 31**

SOUTHS MAKE IT THREE FROM THREE - FIRST TIME SINCE 1972
by Matthew O'Neill
Glory, Glory to South Sydney as they've made it three wins from their first three matches and it's the first time they've achieved that since 1972 as they defeated Cronulla 26-16 tonight at Toyota Park.
Souths owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court made the fearless prediction before the season that the Good Friday clash against the Bulldogs this coming week could be the first club round game in Sydney to draw over 50,000 for a very long-time and their predictions could be closer to the mark. Only the Bulldogs poor form to date is going to cost the match blockbuster and massive crowd status and the revival of the Rabbitohs is going to be the positive talking point this week.
It's been bleak times for the Red and Green's since the 1990 decade began with the ultimate lowlight coming when they were excluded from the competition after the 1999 season. The Rabbitohs came back into big time in 2002 and their time has been plagued by on field struggles and off field dramas where in the five seasons they came last on three occasions and second last on the other two. The Souths members to their credit and excellent vision voted in the 'Yes' ticket of Crowe and Holmes a Court ending the negative regime of George Piggins in what has been the best decision made by the Souths members in their illustrious history.
Crowe and Holmes a Court put the broom through Souths and brought to the new age of professionalism and facilities and the Rabbitohs were not only able to compete at an even level with the other clubs, they were infact becoming the leaders in many areas.
Souths were never in trouble against Cronulla tonight being in complete control of the match after an excellent start based upon controlled sets and good disciplined.
David Peachey playing against his old club scored the opening try in the 7th minute and it was converted by Joe Williams for the Rabbitohs to lead 6-0.
Nathan Merritt crossed for the Rabbitohs second try in the 17th minute with the Sharks right side defence caught short to push Souths further ahead. Williams was unable to convert but on the set of six from the restart Peter Cusack cut the Sharks defence open up the middle finding Peachey in support who passed it onto Daniel Irvine who scored under the posts. Williams added the extras as Souths raced away to a 16-0 lead.
Luke Covell got the Sharks on the board in the 33rd minute when he jumped above a back-peddling Paul Mellor following a well timed cross-field kick from Brett Kimmorley. Covell's conversion attempt was wide of the posts.
More Merritt brilliance moments later had Souths in yet again. Merritt found himself in open space and cruised past the Sharks cover defence to score another fantastic try. Merritt was a lone hand for Souths last year and with better players around him is showing his class even more now. Williams missed with the conversion as Souths led 20-4 and the score remained that way until half-time.
Isaac De Gois began a Sharks revival in the 54th minute when he scored, which was converted by Covell bringing the Sharks back within ten points.
David Kidwell snuffed out any chance of a Sharks comeback with a strong try in the 61st minute and Williams landed the goal to push the Sharks up 26-10.
Although with Penrith storming home the way they did last night, no match is ever safe and the Rabbitohs defence held very firm until the final two minutes when Fraser Anderson crossed over with Covell adding the two points.
Souths are now three from three and their big gun signings of Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, Nigel Vagana and Dean Widders are all delivering. It's been the lesser known signings of Irvine and Jeremy Smith that are proving to be a huge bonus giving the Rabbitohs plenty of spark and thrive in the hooker and halves positions. The blossoming of Williams as a halfback and kicker has been an even bigger plus on top of the signings.
The Rabbitohs will be at home on Good Friday where a 4th win is on the cards as they come up against the out of form Bulldogs who have lost their previous three premiership matches and will be up against an inform Gold Coast Titans outfit tomorrow before they even think about the Rabbitohs clash where a crowd of at least 40,000 will be in attendance providing the weather is clear.(www.rleague.com)

**March 25**

Rabbitohs' drummers a big hit with fans
In common musical parlance, they were "tight as".
The Russell Crowe inspired South Sydney drummers made an impressive debut at Telstra Stadium before Sunday's match against Parramatta. A controversial innovation at the expense of cheer leaders, their high-energy set, lasting around 10 minutes, received a rapturous response from the Souths fans. A multicultural group of 16 wearing black vests with white rabbits, their moves were choreographed to include the ride-the-drum-like-a-horse and the kneel-like-a-guitar-hero poses. Their instruments included 12 long red drums with the white rabbit logo emblazoned on the side. They lined up just like cheer girls to welcome the players on to the ground and sat on the sideline during play, occasionally building up a chant that went: "bang-thwack-bang-Souths". It proved a musical afternoon at Telstra, Souths pumping up the volume during the video referee's deliberations - including the 1970s hit "Video Killed the Radio Star". And at least three of the six new versions of "Glory, Glory to South Sydney" were heard.(ninemsn.com.au)


NRL Rd 2 - Rabbitohs v Eels 31 - 6
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Rabbitohs part owner Russell Crowe celebrates Souths scoring a try during the round two NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Parramatta Eels at Telstra Stadium on March 25, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.
(Getty Images)

     




**March 22**

Russell Crowe to make directorial debut
Actor Russell Crowe is to make his directorial debut with a film about an underground surfing community in Australia, it was reported on Thursday. Movie industry daily Variety reported that the Oscar-winning "Gladiator" star's first film as a director would be about three brothers who form a surfer movement in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra. The film is based on the documentary "Bra Boys" about brothers Sunny, Koby and Jai Abberton, which was released in Australia earlier this month. Crowe narrated the documentary. The movie sees Crowe team up again with the creative team behind "A Beautiful Mind" and "Cinderella Man", producer Brian Grazer and director Ron Howard. Later this year Crowe will appear in the Ridley Scott directed-drama "American Gangster" alongside Denzel Washington. (france24.com)


CROWE TO PLAY SHERLOCK HOLMES?
RUSSELL CROWE is being touted to star as SHERLOCK HOLMES in a new movie based on SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE's legendary crime novels. The GLADIATOR star is an unusual choice for the role - but Hollywood bosses intend the new movie to "focus more on Holmes' physical attributes". A source tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "Unlike previous films this one is going to focus more on Holmes' physical attributes, including his talent for bare-knuckle and sword fighting, which were both mentioned in the original books. "Russell is the favourite for the role as it's felt he'll give the character the action-man-like qualities the part is going to require. He's also proved in past films that he can pull off a convincing British accent. "It's hoped the new story will retain the traditional flavour of the original books and it will be made in participation with the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle estate." (pr-inside.com)

**March 19**

Bunnies dressed to kill
(dailytelegraph)
AFTER knocking on the door for a year, South Sydney finally moved from struggle street to millionaires row with one, long and lavish party last night.
Roared on by Russell Crowe's celebrity set, the reborn Bunnies heralded the return of Monday night football in stunning style with an emotional 18-6 victory over bitter rivals the Roosters.
But the balance of power in the glamour club stakes had shifted well before the opening whistle.
Dressed in green and red striped Armani suits, the Rabbitohs arrived at Aussie Stadium looking more prepared for a stroll down the Milan catwalk than the players' race.
But once they entered the arena, Souths proved they were ready to replace the wooden spoon with a silver one by stitching up the Roosters with two early tries.
The on-field festivities followed upmarket pre-match celebrations at co-owner Peter Holmes a Court's house. Identities from both sides of the footy fence flocked to the businessman's Centennial Park pad – just a short punt from Aussie Stadium – two hours before kick-off to toast the new dawn.
NRL boss David Gallop and TV celebrity Ray Martin rubbed shoulders with business supremos as a parade of BMWs, Porsches and Silver Service taxis dropped guests at the front gate.
Even rugby star Lote Tuqiri showed up fashionably late – exactly a week after knocking back an $800,000 offer to join the ride.
"I'm supporting the Rabbitohs tonight. I think they'll go all right," Tuqiri said.
Although most guests opted for chinos over beanies, the social chit-chat was squarely on the cut of the Rabbitoh's gib.
Eagerly anticipating the return of Monday night football, Mr Gallop said: "It's a huge night for Souths and a big night for the game. It's appropriate that Souths and the Roosters, with their tradition and rivalry, are part of this historic night."
Crowe, however, was not among the well-healed entourage who counted down the minutes washing down party pies with champagne. He popped up at the ground, celebrating the first anniversary of his and Holmes a Court's take-over from a private box with wife Danielle Spencer, John Laws and Chris Murphy.
Both on the field and off it, the Roosters – the NRL's long-standing glamour club – seemed so passe. Although the game was a Roosters home fixture, Souths fans eager to see the team's rebirth outcheered and outnumbered their neighbouring foes.
Queues of supporters hundreds of metres deep forced stadium officials to delay kick-off for 15 minutes. The final figure of 24,127 capped the biggest-ever attendance for a single round in NRL history.

**March 16**

Will Crowe pull rabbit out of hat?
RUSSELL Crowe entered the private room fashionably late. "I had a choice between you guys and reading a story to my three-year-old," he said. "I chose my son." Laughs all round. Instantly charming.
Like a Hollywood director, he asks the head waiter for dimmer lights and some mood music.
Most of those present had made a real effort to "frock up" for the occasion. The television boffins wore suits and the newspaper blokes had at least ironed their white shirts for dinner.
Only two women were present. Crowe sat the "girls" next to him and his new other half, the relatively new South Sydney rugby league club guru Peter Holmes a Court.
You could tell the waiters in this posh establishment were used to Crowe and his entourage. A cameraman shot our every move (this, God help us, is going to be part of a reality documentary series).
Holmes a Court made the same effort as the journalists with his attire. Crowe wore a South Sydney hoodie and jeans. Crowe nowadays spends most of his time in the hoodie or a leather version of the same thing.
Welcome to the brave new world of a footy club with a tradition that outweighs that of the waiters in Sydney's oldest Italian restaurant.
South Sydney rugby league club has changed image more times in recent years than Crowe has had movie roles. Its origins lie deep in the heart of working-class Sydney - the Rabbitohs are so-called because of the men who sold rabbits in the dingy streets of the inner city before World War One.
Souths is - or perhaps was - the ultimate working-class footy club, rivalled only by Collingwood for its roots embedded deeply in the poverty-stricken inner city workings of early Australia.
This most unlikely coupling of blokes has decided the tradition will remain, but that it is still okay to dress players in Georgio Armani (this is really happening). Whether Armani does XXXL for burly props remains to be seen.
How these two men from such vastly different backgrounds came to be sitting there in front of Sydney's cynical rugby league media - as co-owners of a broke rugby league club down on its luck - is a documentary in itself.
Russell Crowe is a Kiwi with a rugby union background. He fancies himself as an astute footy judge who has switched to league since he moved to Australia.
Holmes a Court has one of the most famous names in Australian business. He is West Australian aristocracy - an AFL blue-blood who happened upon league accidentally and has embraced it like the Rain Man does a bunch of numbers.
Somehow, the daggy old Rabbitohs have entranced them both to the point that they now sound like graduates of a born-again Christian academy when they speak about their venture into the world of rugby league.
I arrived at dinner at eight o'clock. When I left two-and-a-half hours later, the pair was still enthusiastically taking it in turns to answer questions from the small group of media men hanging off their every word.
Crowe has a great sense of the dramatic - he manipulates his audience with a charismatic charm and hypnotic voice. His sense of timing is impeccable and ability to impress with visual aids quite astonishing.
Before entree was served, Crowe showed us the team's new drummers.
Then we saw Crowe's new television advertisement, which features a modernised and animated rabbit, not unlike the Terminator, that looks nothing like a furry little white bunny.
It devours all of the other NRL team mascots in 30 seconds, spilling red and green blood in the process. Crowe is very proud of it - even helped make the thing.
I had to pinch myself to keep remembering the old Souths. Crusty old club boss George Piggins would be wondering when the chook raffle was starting and who the bloody hell did these two blow-ins think they were anyway.
Holmes a Court and Crowe genuinely believe - bless their cotton socks - that rugby league will eventually take the world by storm and become a serious force in international sport. At one point, they even mentioned China as the next stop.
In the meantime, they are starting with the consistently worst team in the NRL with a view to making them serious title contenders within a season.
If you shut your eyes and listen to Crowe, you would swear he is Maximus in the Gladiator in that silly costume fighting against the odds.
You really have to pinch yourself to believe that neither of them came directly from central casting.
Whether the rough old world of league can fit them into the cast will be one of the great soap operas of the 2007 season. (news.com.au)



SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 16: Actor Russell Crowe is seen walking in Woolloomooloo on March 16, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Paul McConnell/Getty Images)





**March 14**

ARMANI'S PITCH
RUSSELL CROWE has asked Giorgio Armani to design the uniforms for the Australian rugby team he now co-owns, "The Rabbitohs" - and the new kit will be unveiled on March 19. "You are probably asking yourself why an Italian fashion designer should get involved with an Australian rugby league team?" said Armani. "Well, there are two very good reasons. The first is that my friend Russell Crowe does not call often and when he does, it is usually about something very important. 'Hi Giorgio, I need an outfit for the Academy Awards, what do you suggest?' Or, 'hey I'm getting married, what should I wear?' Or, in this case, 'I've bought a share in the Rabbitohs and they are going back to the top of the premiership, would you help to design a special outfit for them?' The second reason is that I love sport of all kinds. For me sportsmen are like modern day gladiators and because they have to show real dedication and skill they are an inspiration for all of us." The formal, off-pitch pieces designed by Armani include a pinstripe jacket of red and green - colours which the team have worn to play in since it was founded in 1959. "Australians have lot in common with Italians," said Crowe. "We are both nations proud of our culture and fanatical about sport. There can be no better way to arrive for our matches than standing tall and feeling confident because of Giorgio Armani's magic." (vogue.co.uk)




Russell biking in Sydney March 12th (Tanks Ivani)
From newsphoto:

From Newspix:
    

**March 13**

Circus Maximus: a troupe that's out of its league
(www.stuff.co.nz)
 The South Sydney Rabbitohs have often been compared to a soap opera. Now they're about to become one. Just seven years after being kicked out of the NRL, the Rabbitohs are the financial powerhouse of the competition as their savvy new owners Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe find ways to make money that other clubs - and the entire league - have not dreamed of.
Long considered a financial basketcase, Souths have secured sponsorship worth $6 million for the season that starts this weekend. And that's just the beginning.
Filming has begun on a six-part documentary series to screen on the ABC this year in the lead-up to the NRL finals, in the hope that Souths will figure in the play-offs for the first time since 1989. Rabbitohs - the reality TV show? It's a far cry from being league's pariahs.
Almost half the $6 million comes from three sponsors - Firepower, Hi Concept and Virgin Blue. Their names will appear on the home jersey, away jersey and training kit, respectively. The training kit space has never been sold until now, but Holmes a Court and Crowe point out it gets more exposure than the playing strip as it is on display daily.
Merchandise sales for this season, which will be officially launched tonight in Surfers Paradise, are already at 60 per cent of those for the whole of last year. And the Rabbitohs, whose players now wear Armani suits designed by Crowe, have a new clothing range they are trying to persuade the NRL to let them sell.
Among the new merchandise is a designer label hooded top, manufactured by the Canadian company Roots, which Crowe presented to each player last Wednesday night at a team dinner before their appearances at the Bra Boys movie preview and Anthony Mundine's fight against Sam Soliman.
It's a rags-to-riches story so compelling that the television production company Beyond International approached the Rabbitohs to film the documentary. While some were nervous about cameras recording almost their every moment, Crowe put them at ease.
While NRL clubs last year received an average $2.6 million in grants from their licensed clubs, Souths did not receive a cent. It has been the same story for years, which is why Crowe initially got involved with the club he has followed since 1969. Dissatisfied that his annual six-figure donation to help keep the club afloat appeared to be having no long-term effect, Crowe offered to buy the club. Twelve months ago Souths members voted to accept a $3 million offer from the Academy award-winning actor and Holmes a Court for a 75 per cent stake.
Since then they have also gained control of the leagues club and will begin renovations at the end of the month.
"We cannot rely on the old ways of doing business so we have to do things in a different way at Souths," Holmes a Court said.
One example of that is Souths' recruitment of the NRL's first consumer relations manager, whose job is to get bums on seats.
The club has also decided to axe its cheerleaders and employ Dein Perry of Tap Dogs fame to produce Souths' game day entertainment, which will feature a team of drummers. The drummers performed publicly for the first time on Monday night. They marched down a Paddington street, banging their drums, and into a restaurant where Crowe and Holmes a Court were hosting an intimate media dinner.
To appease neighbouring residents, Souths doorknocked houses and offered tickets to the opening game against Sydney Roosters on Monday night. If ever we needed proof that this pair meant business, this was it - in deafening style.

Crowe rekindles old feuds
Brent Read
(theaustralian.news.com.au)
SOUTH SYDNEY has had its fair share of altercations with rival clubs in its 100-year existence and co-owner Russell Crowe has begun documenting them in a tome entitled The Book of Feuds.
In a move designed to give his players added motivation for the season, Crowe, with the help of a writer, has begun working on a history of South Sydney's tiffs with its opponents.
The first chapter, to be revealed this weekend on the club's website, will relive the enmity that exists between Souths and their nearest and oldest rivals, the Sydney Roosters.
Rabbitohs players will be taken through the chapter before Sunday's match.
It is a concept Crowe plans to adopt for each game, indoctrinating the players in the history of Souths while giving them a subtle push towards redemption.
Crowe even plans to have former players present the material to the squad, adding to the emotion.
And he certainly won't want for material when it comes to the opening chapter.
The Rabbitohs-Roosters feud goes back to 1908, when Souths beat their neighbours, Eastern Suburbs to win the inaugural premiership.
It escalated in the 1970s when the cash-strapped Rabbitohs had their ranks raided by the Roosters. Test forward Ron Coote was the highest-profile defector, switching camps in 1972. Others such as Elwyn Walters and Michael Cleary also departed Redfern for Bondi.
For a time the feuding took a backseat to the football but tensions have resurfaced in recent years.
The Super League dispute prompted more acrimony between the camps, with Souths patriarch George Piggins accusing the Roosters of attempting to force a merger.
In 2005 Piggins again sniped at the Roosters, this time over the signing of his nephew Braith Anasta and former Souths captain Ashley Harrison. Piggins questioned how the Roosters could be under the salary cap.
Meanwhile, the NRL last night moved to head off a potential trans-Tasman argument by switching its Monday night game in round five.
The NRL had scheduled the Souths-Newcastle game for Monday night - four days before the Anzac Test, to be played at Suncorp Stadium on April 20.
Under international rules, both sides would have been forced to stand down players selected in the New Zealand and Australian sides, potentially stripping the clubs of up to seven players in total.
The NRL assuaged those concerns yesterday when it announced it had switched the game to Sunday, swapping it with the Canberra-Sydney Roosters.
It is understood the Australian Rugby League has agreed to waive international regulations, clearing any players to take their place for their clubs before appearing in the Test.
Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello is in contention to regain the No.1 jersey for the Kangaroos.


Other pics of Russell and Bra Boys on  gettyimages


**March 8**

Happy women's day to all!!!

**March 7**

Pics of Russell and Bra Boys on  wireimage

Crowe's supporting role for Bra Boys
HE WAS noticeably absent from much of the film's publicity, but last night Jai Abberton joined two of his brothers, Koby and Sunny, on the red carpet at the State Theatre for the premiere of their documentary, Bra Boys. Directed by Sunny, the eldest Abberton brother, and Macario de Souza, and featuring Koby, an international big wave surfer, the film tracks the life of the Abberton family and the evolution of their Maroubra beach surf gang, the Bra Boys. The film - written, directed by and starring gang members - also covers the court case last year in which Jai was acquitted of killing a standover man and Koby was charged with accessory to murder. Last July Koby filed for bankruptcy with debts of more than $1 million. The Abbertons were joined on the red carpet last night by the actor Russell Crowe, a long-time supporter of the brothers and the film's narrator. Crowe, who has reportedly sent a tape of the film to the Hollywood director Ron Howard, was accompanied by Peter Holmes a Court and the South Sydney Rugby League team. Crowe did not stay at the screening, but went to a "motivational dinner" for Souths, before heading to the world title boxing fight between Sam Soliman and Anthony Mundine. Crowe said he was at the premiere to show his support before heading to the boxing match. "I tried to instil the confidence for them to direct their original idea," he said. "The film is the largest Australian documentary ever to be released." Guests arrived in limousines, including celebrities Ian Thorpe, Nikki Webster and Nic Giannopoulos, who were almost swamped by the grommets and surfie chicks from the Abbertons' home beach. Sunny Abberton said he was happy to have the whole "extended family" at the premiere and said it was a realisation of a lifelong dream. Koby Abberton, accompanied by the model Tahyna Tozzi, was more low key. "It's going to be good," he said.(smh.com.au)

**March 3**

From Ivani (Tanks!)
Some Russell's videos at Youtube:
 HERE
Russell Crowe Plugs Radiowahwah.com This is Russell Crowe plugging my website.He thought it was a tv station because it was for my Video Podcast called "Wah-Wah Tv"! He's a scary guy!Shot in kilkee when he was there.
and  HERE
Kate Ceberano - Nature Boy 1990 "Nature Boy" is a music video from Kate Ceberano from the Australian Soundtrack THE CROSSING in 1990 which starred Russell Crowe & Danielle Spencer (now married in reality).

NRL Charity Shield - Dragons v Rabbitohs 16-14
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Rabbitohs part owner Russell Crowe oversees the Rabbitohs warm up before the NRL Charity Shield match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George-Illawarra Dragons at Telstra Stadium on March 3, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

   

**March 1**

Rabbits' double deal on sponsors

SOUTH SYDNEY continued its remarkable resurrection yesterday when it announced a deal which will make it one of the most well-heeled clubs in Australian sport. In a revolutionary move, the Rabbitohs unveiled High Concept by Trivest, a private property group, as their away sponsor for the next two years. Souths will have separate home and away sponsors. High Concept will take pride of place on the club's strip for away games while Firepower will dominate the home jersey. Combined with other sponsorships, Souths' kit will be worth $2.8 million this season, making it the most lucrative outfit in the NRL and among the most well financed in the country. Souths executive chairman Peter Holmes a Court stressed "we didn't sell Russell Crowe" when reflecting on the club's latest sponsorship success. "Let's make that perfectly clear. Russell, some seasons, may be away making a movie," Holmes a Court said. "We can't sell Russell Crowe and Russell doesn't do those sort of things. This was all about selling the football club and the opportunity to be involved in the football club." Trivest has also formed a joint company with Souths to redevelop the embattled South Sydney Leagues Club, with the deal valued at $35 million. The leagues club will undergo a $3 million refit which will include new administration offices for the football club while commercial offices will be leased, from which revenue will flow back to the football team. Holmes a Court described the landmark agreement as a sign of the growing strength not only of Souths but rugby league. The game itself is poised to confirm a six-year, $90 million sponsorship deal with Telstra within days. The agreement needs to be rubber-stamped by the game's partnership committee, comprised of three representatives each from the Australian Rugby League and News Limited (publisher of The Australian). "It talks about the strength of the sport right now, it talks about the strength of rugby league," Holmes a Court said. "Where would you want to be? I think it says rugby league is very strong. "We think it says something about Souths. We think there's a special opportunity about Souths. We think there's a rebuilding opportunity for Souths. "We think it's a good metaphor for corporates. I think there's a special place Souths has in Australian sporting history."(www.theaustralian.news.com.au)

DUELING 'LA CONFIDENTIAL' SEQUELS: CLOONEY VS. CROWE?
(TMZ)
Would the real sequel to "L.A. Confidential" please step forward? That’s the question posed by TMZ’s City of Industry column today. It appears the creative team and stars from the original "L.A. Confidential" are in discussions with Twentieth Century Fox-based Regency Enterprises about re-teaming for a sequel to the Oscar-winning noir flick. This may come as some surprise to Joe Carnahan, however, who will be directing an “L.A. Confidential” sequel based on James Ellroy’s “White Jazz.” That film is set to star George Clooney. TMZ says insiders are whispering that this new sequel, from Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland, wouldn't rely on the plot of "White Jazz," and rather pick up where "L.A. Confidential" ended: With Lt. Ed Exley, a rising star in the LAPD, and Officer Bud White, now an ex-cop who lives with an ex-whore. Rumors have circulated that Pearce was being considered for a role in “White Jazz” but he downplayed the scuttlebutt during press for "Factory Girl." In the "White Jazz" novel, Exley's character actually has a very small part while in Helgeland and Hanson's project, it could potentially be made far larger, says TMZ. Discussions are on-going.(www.hollywoodwiretap.com)

LA CONFIDENTIAL SPARKS TWO SEQUELS
The creative team and original stars from cult movie LA CONFIDENTIAL are in talks to reteam for a sequel to the movie, going head-to-head with another sequel starring GEORGE CLOONEY. Director JOE CARNAHAN is also directing a follow-on to the film based on author JAMES ELLROY's book WHITE JAZZ. According to entertainment website TMZ.com, another sequel is being planned by the film's original director CURTIS HANSON. Hanson's version wouldn't rely on the plot of White Jazz and would instead pick-up where LA Confidential ended. The sequel would reunite original stars RUSSELL CROWE, GUY PEARCE and KIM BASINGER, who won a Best Supporting Oscar for her role in LA Confidential. (contactmusic.com)