Ridley Scott has said that Russell Crowe lost 30 pounds to star in his latest movie, BODY OF LIES. The GLADIATOR star shed the weight after a lengthy workout schedule for the new flick.

"I've shot with Russell for the past five weeks. That's why he's so sturdy-looking at the moment." Scott said to ContactMusic.

"He's losing weight. He was 30 pounds overweight to do the part."

Crowe also stars in AMERICAN GANGSTER, opposite Denzel Washington, a film which is also directed by Scott, which hits cinemas this Friday (November 2).

Crowe has previously worked with Scott on the films GLADIATOR and A GOOD YEAR.