Russell Crowe sheds 23 kg for next film

Los Angeles: Actor Russell Crowe is working hard to for his next movie and has lost around 23 kg for the role.

The 51-year-old "Gladiator" star piled on the weight for "The Nice Guys," reported Aceshowbiz.

"I was (268 pounds) the first week of August last year. I did a movie called 'The Nice Guys', so I wanted to be the physical juxtaposition of Ryan Gosling. I'm clawing my way back from that, so I'm about (216 pounds) at the moment," Crowe said.

The actor has been biking and jogging to get back in shape.

In "The Nice Guys", the New Zealand-born actor is playing private eye Jackson Healy who lives in the '70s. Praising his co-star Gosling, Crowe said he is a "comic genius".

"That kid is a comic genius. He is great company, he is really smart, he loves what he does and he asks all the right questions. Working with him was such a treat."