Russell Crowe is to direct his first full-length film - a biopic about the life of Bill Hicks.

The Oscar-winner will be working on the movie with old school friend Mark Staufer, who has written the script.

Crowe had been tipped to play the lead but has opted for directorial duties instead.

Production is due to start next year, but there is no word yet who will play the iconic comedian.

'It is a huge role for someone, made all the more scary by the fact the director is an Oscar-winning actor like Russell,' Staufer said.

Hicks died of pancreatic cancer in 1994.