Russell Crowe's 'Gladiator' return thwarted by life and death
Although Russell Crowe did not appear in the sequel to "Gladiator," the actor attempted to return to the role of Maximus. Director Ridley Scott revealed details of these efforts in a recent interview.
4:38 PM EST, November 25, 2024
The director told "People" magazine that about 18 years ago, he and Crowe tried to resurrect the character of Maximus. "I had Nick Cave writing the script, and I kept saying to Russell, 'But you're dead.' And he replied, 'I know I'm dead. And I want to come back from the dead,'" explained Scott.
Crowe hired Nick Cave to write the sequel. According to a BBC article, the actor asked him to solve the issue of his death in the new film. In the sequel, Maximus was supposed to wake up in a purgatory full of Roman gods, who offered him a mission of revenge in exchange for a reunion with his family. The plot was to lead through different eras, showing Maximus fighting in the Crusades, both World Wars, and even in Vietnam.
After reading the script, Crowe shortly concluded: "I don't like it, mate." Cave admitted: "I enjoyed writing it very much because I knew it wouldn’t come to life on any level."
Scott also had his own idea for Maximus's return through a "portal," allowing the hero's spirit to embody another warrior. "The only way was to go to another battle and bring him back to life through a dying warrior," the director explained. However, Crowe was not interested, as it would require casting a new actor in the role. "It doesn’t make any sense, does it?" recalled Crowe of Scott's reactions.
"Gladiator 2" without Maximus
Eventually, work on the sequel began in 2018, and Scott committed to its realization in 2022. "Gladiator II" focused on an adult Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Maximus and Lucilla. Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi returned to the film, and the cast included Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Fred Hechinger, and Joseph Quinn, among others.
Russell Crowe previously admitted that he feels "a bit uncomfortable" about the sequel without his involvement. "I can't say anything; it's not my business. I'm six feet under. We'll see how it goes," commented the actor. On the other hand, Ridley Scott firmly stated: "I think Crowe is still one of the best actors in the world, and I believe we have a good relationship. I hope that's the case. As long as he doesn't complain that he wasn't brought back. Why would I do that? He's dead!"
