Russell Crowe (Gladiator) has jumped on board a new action thriller film project titled Bear Country. He will re-team with his Unhinged director Derrick Borte, who will helm the project.

Crowe will play an “aging but formidable club owner, Manco Kapak who has been robbed by a masked gunman. Now, his aspirations of selling his club and riding off into the sunset alongside his girlfriend appear more distant than ever.”

It’s explained that “Cartel bosses are breathing down his neck and a young upstart has been posing as the new guy in town eager to purchase the club.”

The director said in a statement: “After the great experience we shared on Unhinged, I’d been looking for another project with Russell – one that would allow him to show more of what so many people (including myself) loved so much about Jackson Healy in The Nice Guys – and we both immediately knew that Bear Country was the one.”

Producer Mark Fasano added: “Bear Country will keep viewers on the edge of their seats with plenty of action and surprises in store. Russell brings a captivating energy to the screen and has helped cultivate some of the best thrillers in recent memory,.”

Producer Jeffrey Greenstein said: “The way Russell and Derrick took such a simple concept and turned Unhinged into a nonstop white knuckle ride is exactly what excites me about re-teaming the two for this sophisticated and fun ride through the sexy and seedy streets of Los Angeles.

“In addition to having action and comedy, this one allows Derrick to do what he does best, ratcheting up the suspense via a highly castable ensemble cast of characters in Bear Country.”

The film is based on the Thomas Perry novel, Strip.