Russell Crowe has recently expressed his reservations about the upcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s iconic film, Gladiator. The Oscar-winning actor, who played the role of Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the original 2000 film, shared his thoughts during an interview with Kyle Meredith. Crowe admitted that he feels “slightly uncomfortable” with the sequel being made, primarily because his character is dead and he has no influence over the new storyline.
Crowe elaborated on his feelings, saying, “I’m slightly uncomfortable with the fact they’re making another one — because, of course, I’m dead and I have no say in what gets done. But a couple of the things I’ve heard, I’m like, ‘No, no, no, that’s not in the moral journey of that particular character.’ But I can’t say anything, it’s not my place, I’m six feet under. So we’ll see what that is like.”
The original Gladiator film, directed by Ridley Scott, was a monumental success, earning Crowe an Oscar for his portrayal of Maximus. The story followed Maximus as he sought vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and condemned him to slavery. Reflecting on the impact of the film, Crowe said, “I reflect back: The age I was when I made that film and all the things that came after it, the doors that particular movie opened for me. This is just me being purely honest: There’s definitely a tinge of melancholy, a tinge of jealousy. I remember when I had tendons.”
In the upcoming sequel, Paul Mescal will take on the lead role of adult Lucius, who was depicted as the young nephew of Commodus, the Roman emperor played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original film. Mescal has acknowledged the legacy of the first film, stating, “I feel really excited, but, like, it’s difficult to get away from the legacy of the film a bit. I think it’s really well written and it pays homage to the first one, but it’s very much something that I think I can step into and make comfortably my own.”
When asked if he had spoken to Crowe about the original Gladiator, Mescal responded, “I don’t know what we would talk about. Like, I’d love to hear his stories from filming, but the character is, like, totally separate.”
Crowe has previously mentioned that he knows little about the plot of Gladiator 2. “I don’t know anything about the plot,” he said last year. “In that world, I’m dead, six feet under. And that’s that.”
The sequel, which also stars Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen (reprising her role as Lucius’ mother), is set to hit theaters on November 22. Despite his mixed feelings, Crowe’s reflections on the original film and its impact on his career are poignant. “Because I was a much younger man, obviously, and it was a huge experience in my life. It’s something that changed my life, really. It changed the way people regarded me and what I do for a living,” he said.
Crowe’s sentiments are not entirely new. He has previously confessed to feeling “slightly jealous” about the sequel, noting that the story “holds a special place” in his heart. While he acknowledges the significant boost Gladiator gave to his career, his successor, Paul Mescal, has a different perspective. In an interview with the Times, the 28-year-old actor mentioned that he would become “profoundly depressed” if Gladiator 2 makes him more famous than he already is.
Interestingly, Crowe was spotted in Malta, where the sequel is being filmed, sparking rumors of a possible cameo. However, he clarified that he was there for a concert with his band, Indoor Garden Party, and not for the film. He did admit that seeing the film’s set, which he said is identical to the one built in the 1990s, made him nostalgic.
As the release date for Gladiator 2 approaches, fans are eager to see how the new film will honor the legacy of the original while carving out its own identity. Crowe’s reflections and reservations add an intriguing layer to the anticipation surrounding the sequel.
