Crowe 'too old' for Vietnam movie

Australian director Bruce Beresford has turned down Russell Crowe for his new film - declaring the actor is far too old.

Long Tan tells the story of how 108 American and Australian soldiers fought off 2,500 Viet Cong troops in Vietnam - but it will not feature the 42-year-old Gladiator star.

The acclaimed director says: "The problem with war movies characteristically is that all the guys playing the soldiers are too old.

I certainly would rather cast people who are the right age for the parts - that was a battle fought by very young guys."

The director did concede though that A List names are vital for a big film to get made, saying: "If you don't have names, it is almost impossible (to get a film made)."