The trial of two men accused of trying to blackmail actor Russell Crowe has been delayed for a second time because of a lack of potential jurors.

The case will decide whether Philip Cropper, 36, and Malcolm Mercer, 37, demanded money to destroy a video, which allegedly shows Crowe fighting outside a nightclub.

Crowe has won acclaim for films including A Beautiful Mind

The trial, to be heard in New South Wales, Australia, was due to begin on Monday - but was put back by two days so prosecutors could gather enough possible jurors and resolve legal issues.

It had also been delayed in April after the judge became concerned by media reports that could have been prejudicial.

The security video is said to show Gladiator star Crowe and others fighting in a street outside a New South Wales nightclub.

The fight is alleged to have taken place at the club in Coffs Harbour in November 1999.

Crowe owns a cattle ranch near the town, which is about 350 miles north of Sydney.

Mr Cropper and Mr Mercer are accused of trying to extort money out of the actor after threatening to send the video to the media.

Jet-set

Crowe is not expected to give evidence in the case. Lawyers could not force him to attend because he travelled around the world so much.

"We have been seeking to serve him but every time we get a court date he's left the jurisdiction," defence counsel Paul King said.

Mr Cropper and Mr Mercer have also been charged with perverting the course of justice by not handing the tape over to the police.

Another man has had charges of perverting the course of justice dropped, and may now give evidence in the case.

Blackmail carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence in New South Wales and perverting the course of justice a maximum of 14 years.

Awards

Crowe has become one of Hollywood's top actors since winning acclaim in 1997's LA Confidential.

Two years later he picked up his first Oscar nomination for The Insider and 12 months on he won the best actor award for his role in the Roman epic Gladiator.

The New Zealand-born actor missed out in the same category in 2002 to Denzel Washington performance in Training Day.

The movie A Beautiful Mind, in which he starred, won best film and best director for Ron Howard.