Russell Crowe wants to play Steve Irwin

Russell Crowe

Oscar-winning New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe wants to play Steve Irwin in a film based on the life of the late Crocodile Hunter.

The multi-millionaire actor, who now calls Australia his home, has repeatedly spoken of his affection for his friend Irwin after he was tragically killed, aged just 44, by a stingray on the Great Barrier Reef.

Crowe is reportedly in talks with Universal Studios about making a biopic, according to a Hollywood industry magazine, In Touch Weekly.

Sydney-based Crowe, 42, told the magazine he is "desperate" to be involved with the movie project.

The Gladiator and Insider star and owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs league team, speaking on videotape at Irwin's memorial service, said: "We've all lost a friend, we've lost a champion, and we're going to take some time to adjust to that."

Meanwhile, the widow of the Crocodile Hunter has spoken publicly for the first time since Steve Irwin's death.

Terri Irwin says she is a long way from coming to terms with what has happened.

She says at times she still thinks husband Steve is coming home.

In an emotional interview with Australia's Channel Nine she says she was overwhelmed at last week's public memorial.

She says she walked into the Crocoseum, where the event was held, where she knew people would be missing Steve. She says the feelings of love and support from Australians was just overwhelming.

Mrs Irwin was on holiday in Tasmania with the couple's children when she got the call from her husband's best friend and manager John Stainton.

He said there had been a diving accident with Steve, and she says all that was going through her mind was "don't say it, don't say it. don't say it".

"But he said it," she says, "he said those three words - that Steve was dead".

Mrs Irwin has recorded two interviews - one with Barbara Walters of the US ABC network, and the other with Channel Nine's Ray Martin. Both interviews will go to air on Wednesday.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZHERALD STAFF