Matt Hookings, the writer, producer and lead actor in boxing drama Prizefighter tells Giulia Magri how he brought Russell Crowe back to Malta Eight months ago, Oscar-winning star Russell Crowe surprised his fans when he invited them to meet him at Fort Ricasoli. He cycled into the fort, which once played host to the film Gladiator, and happily posed for photos at the set of the blockbuster that won him the Best Actor Oscar in 2000. At the time, he was filming, Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher, a biopic about the eponymous 19th-century boxer. Right: Matt Hookings with a picture of himself and his boxing star father. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier Yet, Matt Hookings, writer, producer and lead actor of the upcoming movie, was unaware of how special Malta is for the actor. “I did not anticipate the impact Crowe’s return would have on the country and how important it was not just for Malta but also for him,” Hookings said. “It was a bit weird for me because I realised I’m the person who brought this guy back. He had not been in Malta for 20 odd years and, for him, Gladiator is one of the most important things he has ever done.” Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher tells the story...