Gladiator may be 25 years old, but it remains one of the most critically acclaimed movies of its generation. Russell Crowe won an Oscar for his role, and the movie scooped countless awards. So, it makes sense that Crowe isn't a fan of the sequel that came out in November 2024.
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During a recent appearance on Australian radio station "Triple J," Crowe took some shots at Gladiator II. His biggest gripe with the sequel was the twisting of Maximus's character and moral core.
"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," Crowe said. "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."
According to IMDB, Gladiator II was a solid movie, scoring 6.5. The movie was also a financial success, grossing around $460 million in theaters. However, it certainly didn't have the staying power of the original, and won't be a long-time classic.
Russell Crowe Continues To Star in Movies
Crowe, 61, is still active in the movie scene. His latest role came in Nuremberg, where he played Hermann Goring. He had multiple roles in 2024, and according to IMDb, he is currently working on an additional eight projects. At least three of those projects are expected to be released in 2026.
With so much experience in the industry, Crowe is entitled to his opinion. That is especially true when it comes to the character that shot him to worldwide fame. Unfortunately, there's nothing Crowe can do at this point. The sequel is already out and did well enough that another could feasibly be discussed in boardrooms in the future.
Still, fans will be keen to hear Crowe's take. After all, he's the original Maximus, and in truth, should have been consulted on how to keep the character as close to the original as possible.
