Russell Crowe is going head to head with Robbie Williams to play gay pianist Liberace in a film.

Movie bosses had already earmarked the British pop star for the role, but "Gladiator" star Russell Crowe has muscled in, saying he would be perfect for the role, reports Femalefirst.

"I would make a great casting. I can camp it up with the best of them," Crowe said, claiming he wanted to take the lead in the biopic of the flamboyant musician, who died in 1987.

But Williams is no stranger to playing gay roles after appearing as a transvestite for a charity comedy show.