The late Steve Irwin�s friend and producer John Stainton has revealed that Irwin wanted Australian actor Eric Bana to pay him on the big screen.

Irwin died earlier this year after he was struck through the heart by a stingray�s barb.

Speaking to Extra, Stainton relived the moment when Irwin told �Munich� star Bana of his big screens plans.

Stainton said: "He raced up to Eric on the red carpet and said "Eric, you gotta promise me one thing mate ... you gotta play me when I die."

He added: "If we ever did make a movie I would have to get Eric Bana and try to honor that."

Stainton also revealed that he had high hopes for Irwin�s young daughter Bindi even before Irwin met his untimely death: "I said to him before he died, 'you're gonna have to be prepared for the fact that Bindi is going to eclipse you as a star in the world,' and he said 'bring it on, bring it on.'"

Bindi�s new series �Jungle Girl� will hit the small screen next year.