Rusell Crowe to film new psychological thriller Poker Face in Sydney

Russell Crowe to shoot his new thriller flick Poker Face in Sydney as rumours swirl Natalie Portman has quietly joined the cast

New details have emerged about Russell Crowe’s upcoming psychological thriller film Poker Face. 

According to The Sunday Telegraph, the Gary Fleder-directed blockbuster will commence filming next month in Russell’s hometown of Sydney, as well as along parts of Australia’s east coast.  

Natalie Portman, who is currently in Sydney filming Thor: Love and Thunder, is also tipped to star in the film, the publication reports. 

Revealed: Russell Crowe’s upcoming psychological thriller, Poker Face, will be shot in Sydney, and along parts of the east coast next month, according to The Sunday Telegraph

Poker Face will mark Russell’s first time shooting a feature-length film in his  hometown, since filming WWI drama, The Water Diviner back in 2014.

According to Deadline, Poker Face tells the tale of a tech billionaire called Jake (played by Russell) who gathers his childhood friends to his Miami estate for what turns into a high stakes game of poker.   

‘Those friends have a love hate relationship with the host, a master game-player/planner, and he has concocted an elaborate scheme designed to bring a certain justice to all of them,’ Deadline reports. 

Famous co-star? American actress Natalie Portman (pictured), who is currently in Sydney filming Thor: Love and Thunder, is also rumoured to be starring in the upcoming film

Famous co-star? American actress Natalie Portman (pictured), who is currently in Sydney filming Thor: Love and Thunder, is also rumoured to be starring in the upcoming film 

‘However, Jake finds himself re-thinking his strategy when his Miami mansion is overtaken by a dangerous home invader whose previous jobs have all ended in murder and arson.’ 

Director Fleder previously worked on Sylvester Stallone’s Homefront and the comedy series The Bold Type.

The film will be produced by Australian actor Addam Bramich and Gary Hamilton.

Role: In Poker Face, Crowe plays the character of Jake, 'a tech billionaire who gathers his childhood friends to his Miami estate for what turns into a high stakes game of poker

Role: In Poker Face, Crowe plays the character of Jake, ‘a tech billionaire who gathers his childhood friends to his Miami estate for what turns into a high stakes game of poker

Project finished: Crowe just wrapped up filming as 'Zeus' for the upcoming Thor installment. Pictured with Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky

Project finished: Crowe just wrapped up filming as ‘Zeus’ for the upcoming Thor installment. Pictured with Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky 

Russell meanwhile just wrapped up filming as ‘Zeus’ for the Marvel’s upcoming Thor installment.   

On Tuesday, the actor celebrated by shaving off his lengthy beard and returning to a more clean-cut look, sharing his transformation with fans on Twitter.

In the photo, which is now his profile picture, he gazed at the camera while wearing glasses with his short facial hair on full display.

He then jokingly shared and a picture of a plastic bag filled with the shaved-off greying locks, captioned: ‘What price the beard of Zeus?’  

a difference, your blue eyes stand out very well now, it looks very good my friend!’ 

Before: Russell celebrated finish filming on Thor: Love and Thunder by shaving off his beard and returning to a more clean-cut look. Pictured in March

After: Russell Crowe on Tuesday after trimming the beard

Going, going, gone! On Tuesday, Russell celebrated finish filming on Thor: Love and Thunder by shaving off his lengthy beard and returning to a more clean-cut look