Has Russell Crowe Found His Directorial Debut?

It looks like Russell Crowe might be adding another line to his renaissance man-like resume. Deadline reports that the Oscar-winning actor is toying around with the idea of making his directorial debut with 77 -- a film idea that not only sounds dynamite, but would re-team Crowe with the work of James Ellroy.

Based on an original story idea by Ellroy -- the author behind L.A. Confidential -- 77 "connects two stories from 1974. It deals with the unsolved murder of an LAPD officer, and the nationally televised shootout in South Central L.A. between the Symbionese Liberation Army and the LAPD, where 50,000 rounds of gunfire were exchanged." You might know the Symbionese Liberation Army better as the SLA, or the group that kidnapped Patty Hearst.

The script wasn't written by Ellory, however; David Matthews -- no relation? -- ultimately got the honors, and Crowe is apparently waiting on his re-write. If it passes the sniff test, though, 77 could be the next number on his ledger. Developing...

· Russell Crowe Looking To Direct 1970s Crime Drama '77' [Deadline]