Russell Crowe expected controversy over upcoming film 'Noah'

Russell Crowe starrer 'Noah', which has been banned in like Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE, has been snubbed by various Islam-based countries, but the actor said he fully expected the controversy.

According to Contactmusic, the 49-year-old star told a UK publication that since the film is in Islam's holy book, the Quran, and it is a tenet of the Muslim religion that one shouldn't render images about the Prophet, it was not unexpected that some Islamic nations would ban the film.

Crowe will be seen portraying the ark-building hero in the film adaptation of the Bible story of the Great Flood, directed by Darren Aronofsky.