Reps: Crowe not trying to oust Scott

LONDON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Representatives for New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe and British director Ridley Scott deny reports saying the frequent collaborators aren't getting along.

The pair have worked together on "Gladiator," "A Good Year" and "American Gangster" and are set to reunite on a retelling of the Robin Hood tale called "Nottingham" in March.

The New York Post said rumors have been swirling that there is tension between the two since their recent film "Body of Lies" bombed at the box office and Crowe reportedly has been pressuring George Freeman, the William Morris agent who represents both him and Scott, to get the director fired from "Nottingham."

"Ridley is the only one who is willing to stand up to Russell and tell him he's too fat and that he can't show up four hours late to the set," a source told the newspaper. "(Russell) wants someone he can control."

"There is absolutely no truth to this. Crowe, Scott and 'Nottingham' producer Brian Grazer had a pre-production meeting last week and everything was full speed ahead," Freeman's spokesman told the Post.