Russell Crowe was not a fan of the Gladiator sequel.
The 61-year-old actor won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the original 2000 movie, but he doesn’t think the 2024 sequel captured the heart of the first film, despite Ridley Scott directing both of them.
A year after the sequel was released, Russell is sharing his thoughts on the movie.
Keep reading to find out more…
“The recent sequel that we don’t have to name out loud is a really good example of, even the people in that engine room not actually understanding what made that first one special,” Russell said on Australia radio station Triple J.
He added, “It wasn’t the pomp. It wasn’t the circumstance. It wasn’t the action. It was the moral core.”
“And 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 that they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus — it’s like, you’re taking away his power,” Russell said. “So, you’re saying, at the same time he had this relationship with his wife, he was f–king this other girl? What are you talking about? It’s crazy.”
Russell said fans have complained to him about the movie too.
“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 said.
Russell will be starring in an upcoming remake movie.
