Source: Variety

Russell Crowe has signed to star in helmer John Polson's indie thriller Tenderness for Gotham-based GreeneStreet Films, reports Variety.

Crowe will lense the project for Polson in May before heading into production on Universal's "American Gangster" in July, and then Baz Luhrmann's untitled period epic, opposite Nicole Kidman, early next year.

"Tenderness" was adapted by scribe Emil Stern from the novel by Robert Cormier, and follows a violent teenager, Eric, whose life intertwines with Lori, a 16-year-old runaway who can't resist his charm. Crowe will play Lieutenant Cristofuoro, a cop who sets out to unravel Eric's complex past.