Russell Crowe feels “uncomfortable” about ‘Gladiator 2’
Russell Crowe has addressed his concern for Ridley Scott’s upcoming sequel, Gladiator 2. Despite previously supporting the idea of a follow-up to the historical epic, that saw him win an Academy Award, the Australian actor has now revealed that he feels “slightly uncomfortable” about the project.
Notably, Crowe starred as the protagonist, Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, in Scott’s original blockbuster. The character seeks revenge on the Roman Emperor Commodus – played by Joaquin Phoenix – who murderers his family and Emperor. A sprawling tale of retribution, it sees Meridius become a gladiator and rise through the ranks of the arena to set up a showdown with his foe.
Not only is Gladiator one of Crowe’s best-loved roles, earning him ‘Best Actor’ at the Oscars, but the brilliance of the story and the rest of the cast, including the late Oliver Reed in his final role, have made it one of the most revered movies of the 21st century. Naturally, the sequel will face intense scrutiny.
Since the follow-up was announced in 2018, Crowe has answered many questions about it. Last year, the actor explained why he wouldn’t reprise his role and maintained it was simply because Meridius is dead. However, he noted: “I couldn’t think of that movie being less than absolutely spectacular”.
“If Ridley has decided to do a second part … he will have really strong reasons,” Crowe added.
Gladiator 2 stars Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, the former heir to the Empire and son of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla in the original film. The upcoming instalment also stars Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington. Nielsen and Derek Jacobi also reprise their roles from the 2000 hit.
In a new interview with Kyle Meredith, Crowe has addressed why he feels uneasy at the prospect of Gladiator 2. He admitted it was primarily to do with the moral direction of characters but explained that he can’t say anything more specific as “it’s not my place”.
He said: “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 foot under. So we’ll see what that is like.”
Reflecting on the effect Gladiator had on his life, the actor continued: “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.”
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