Russell Crowe Keeps Audience Waiting During "State Of Play" Premiere

Russell Crowe kept a premiere audience waiting while he signed autographs Tuesday night. The Australian actor delighted crowds at London's Leicester Square by greeting fans who had turned out to see him and co-star Dame Helen Mirren at the red carpet screening of their new movie "State of Play."

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However, his late arrival and enthusiasm for signing "Gladiator" DVDs and other memorabilia meant guests - including "Mamma Mia" actor Dominic Cooper and British singer Jamelia - were left waiting for over an hour to watch the political thriller.

Dame Helen also delighted fans by stopping to chat and pose for photographs.

Earlier in the evening, director Kevin MacDonald revealed Russell had reservations about playing an investigative reporter in the film.

He told BANG Showbiz: "He wasn't sure he could play a heroic character as a journalist."

When quizzed on what he had learned about journalists from making the movie, Russell replied: "They're very squishy and quite smelly."

The role was originally meant to be played by Brad Pitt, but the director revealed they disagreed over the script.

He said: "Brad made it clear a week or two before filming that he did not see the same film as I did."