Russell Crowe Gives His Honest Thoughts on ‘Gladiator II’

Actor Russell Crowe, who starred in the original “Gladiator” back in 2000, has opened up on his thoughts about the 2024 sequel. Speaking in a radio interview, Crowe was critical of the way filmmakers on “Gladiator II” did not take into account “what made the first one special.”

Russell Crowe Explains Why ‘Gladiator II’ Failed

The first film sees Crowe portray Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is chosen by the Emperor to act as regent but is betrayed by Joaquin Phoenix’s character Commodus. With his wife and son murdered on Commodus, Maximus manages to escape only to be sold into slavery and become a gladiator. 

While discussing the film while appearing on the  Australian radio station Triple J (via BBC News), Crowe explains that he feels the “moral core” of “Gladiator” is what drew the audience in. He said: “It wasn’t the pomp. It wasn’t the circumstance. It wasn’t the action. It was the moral core.”

Russell went on to say that there was a  “daily fight on that set to keep that moral core of the character” and that “the amount of times they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus – it’s like ‘you’re taking away his power.’”

The actor also doesn’t like the idea that his character was seemingly in a relationship with both his wife and Lucilla at the same time and, when approached by people who complain about the film, has to say, “It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it.”

While Ridley Scott returned to produce and direct “Gladiator II,” it received a mixed reception and did not receive as many plaudits as its predecessor, with most considering it an inferior movie. The original went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.

Russell Crowe Reveals Dramatic Weight Loss

Earlier this year, the actor revealed that he had lost 55 pounds. While filming the historical drama “Nuremberg,” in which he portrays Nazi official Hermann Göring, Crowe was able to get his weight down from 126 kg to almost 100 kg 

He attributes the weight loss to getting his arthritis pain under control, allowing him to live a happier and healthier life. Crowe also explained that he has significantly reduced the amount of alcohol he drinks, which has dramatically cut down the amount of calories he consumes.

“I think we talked before about just how many old injuries I carry, and how the injuries in my shoulders are deeply arthritic,” he told Rogan in his podcast.

The actor continued, “But we can now see in an ultrasound that a year ago I had big thick bands of arthritis, and now it’s lessened, probably by about 70%. On one area in my right shoulder, probably by about 90%”

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