Russell Crowe dished his thoughts on the upcoming Gladiator sequel (Picture: Universal Pictures/Dreamworks)
Hollywood legend Russell Crowe shared why he has reservations about Sir Ridley Scott’s star-studded Gladiator sequel.
The 2000 historic action movie landed the 60-year-old actor, who played Roman general Maximus, his first and only Oscar as best actor in a leading role and cemented itself into cinematic history as a beloved classic.
It grossed an impressive $465million (£365million) at the global box office following its theatrical release.
Russell starred opposite Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus. In the film’s climactic battle, Commodus stabs Maximus and he eventually dies due to his battle wounds.
Although his character is dead with no hope of return, the star still had plenty to say about the recently announced sequel.
‘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.
It’s been over two decades since he appeared in the film (Picture: Wirelmage)
The film won best picture at the Academy Awards (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)
‘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 foot under. So we’ll see what that is like.’
The sequel will feature Paul Mescal as Lucius, returning actor Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Joseph Quinn as Emperor Caracalla, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Derek Jacobi and Matt Lucas.
Talking about his own time in the franchise, the Les Miserable actor added to Kyle Meredith: ‘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.’
The new movie, written by David Scarpa and produced by Paramount Pictures, has been marketed with the slogan: ‘What we do in life echoes in eternity’.
A trailer unveiled at CinemaCon earlier this year showed Paul and Pedro’s characters locked in a sword battle in the coliseum indicating their rivalry will be at the heart of the plot.
Several years ago filmmaker Sir Ridley, 86, admitted he received a script from Nicholas Cage in which Maximus reincarnates. But this project never went ahead.
Now with the Normal People star at the helm, Paul previously opened up about how ‘stressed’ he was to be part of the project.
Paul Mescal will lead the cast this time around (Picture: Getty)
‘I can’t tell you how stressed I am talking about that film in particular because it’s definitely the biggest one I’ve done,’ the Oscar-nominated actor told Esquire.
‘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.’
In a later interview, he also shared his hopes that the fame from the anticipated blockbuster wouldn’t affect his life too much.
‘Is it just that more people will stop you in the street?’ Mescal said about how his life may change.
‘I’d get profoundly depressed if that’s so and hope it isn’t true. I’ll have an answer next year, but if [the film] impacts my life in that way, I’ll be in a bad spot.’
Gladiator will arrive in cinemas on November 22, 2024.
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