Russell Crowe has branded acting on Baz Luhrmann's new Australian outback movie "charity work for major studios."
The Antipodean star was due to feature in the as yet untitled movie alongside Nicole Kidman, but quit over money wrangles and was replaced by Hugh Jackman in June.
At the time, Crowe gave no clues about his departure from the romantic epic but now fumes: "I just didn't want to work on that movie in the type of environment that was being created because of the needs of the budget.
"I do charity work, but I don't do charity work for major studios."
The movie was due to begin production this month, but has been postponed to February 2007 because of scheduling conflicts and the continuing budget row with 20th Century Fox, according to the Hollywood Reporter.