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Russell Crowe has made it clear he was not entertained with the sequel to his blockbuster film Gladiator.
The actor, 61, rose to international fame starring in Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic.
In it, he played Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed and forced into slavery, before becoming a gladiator and seeking revenge for the murder of his family.
Gladiator was a critical and commercial success – grossing $466 million (£349million) worldwide and winning five Oscars.
After years of discussions around a sequel, a follow-up film was then released last year – this time starring Paul Mescal as Lucius, Maximus’ son.
Although Gladiator II was largely warmly received by critics and audiences alike – Russell has now weighed in on what he thought of the film.
Speaking on Australian radio station Triple J, Russell took aim when asked about the movie – which was also directed and produced by Scott.
‘I think the recent sequel that, you know, we don’t have to name out loud is a really unfortunate example of even the people in that engine room not actually understanding what made the first one special,’ he said.
‘It wasn’t the pomp. It wasn’t the circumstance. It wasn’t the action. It was the moral core.’
The actor – who won the Oscar for best actor in the original – went on to explain how there was a ‘daily fight on set’ while filming, due to his commitment to preserving the character’s ethics.
‘The thing is, there was a daily fight on that set. It was a daily fight to keep that moral core of the character. The amount of times they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus, it’s like you’re taking away his power. So, you’re saying at the same time he had this relationship with his wife, he was f***ing this other girl? What are you talking about? It’s crazy.’
The murder of Maximus’ wife and child set in motion the revenge plot that Gladiator centres on.
However, the sequel reveals that he had a past affair with Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) – which resulted in the birth of Lucius – which Russell said was at odds with his character’s intense love for his late wife and his mission to avenge her death.
He also said that many fans of the original backed his stance on the sequel.
‘The women in Europe, when that movie started coming out, I would be at a restaurant, and they’d come talk to me [and complain]. It’s like, “Hey, it wasn’t me! I didn’t do it”,’ he laughed.
Despite his scathing comments, Russell was met with significant support online after the interview was released.
‘Man, he’s real for that. Sequel was a hollow shell,’ John commented on Instagram.
‘It was an awful sequel that in no way lived up to its predecessor,’ Christian shared.
‘I couldn’t even watch it. Terrible,’ Alison added.
Gladiator II picked up years after the events of the first film, which ended with the death of Maximus, and starred Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Connie, who reprised her role.
It grossed $462 million (£347million) and was nominated for two Oscars.
Metro’s review called it a ‘bold, truly epic return’, but added it ‘doesn’t reach the dizzying heights of the original’.
Ahead of the release of Gladiator II, Russell admitted he was ‘slightly uncomfortable with the fact they’re making another one’.
He also begged the media to stop asking him about the follow-up.
‘They should be f***ing paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in,’ he said.
‘It has nothing to do with me. In that world, I am dead. Six feet under. But I do admit to a certain tinge of jealousy, because it reminds me of when I was younger and what it meant for me, in my life.’
Metro has contacted representatives for Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal for comment.
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