Ridley Scott explains why he did not consult with Russell Crowe for Gladiator II. Crowe played the starring role of Maximus Decimus Meridius in the original Gladiator, who famously died after defeating Commodus and restoring Rome as Marcus Aurelius intended. Gladiator II‘s story will see Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) as the protagonist this time, following Maximus’ footsteps as he becomes a gladiator and tries to save Rome from its corrupt leaders.
While speaking with Empire magazine, Scott shared his candid reason for why he did not feel the need to consult with Crowe on Gladiator II. He expressed gratitude for having worked with Crowe, along with sharing admiration for the actor’s exemplary career. Scott also touched on the challenge and solution of determining the best story to tell when developing the long-awaited sequel to the original Gladiator film. Check out Scott’s comments below:
The plot, frankly, was right under our noses. I think it was so close under our noses that we thought it was too simple. I think he’s still one of the best actors in the world, and I think we have a good relationship. I hope we do. As long as he doesn’t start bitching about how he wasn’t consulted. Why would I? He’s dead!
Gladiator II Would Never Have Worked With Russell Crowe
The Sequel Needed A Different Star After Maximus’ Sacrifice
Despite Crowe being integral to the first film’s success, a sequel with him would not have worked given Maximus’ fate. Any way of bringing Maximus back would cheapen the impact of the character’s sacrifice and the culmination of his satisfying arc in Gladiator. There were earlier iterations of a sequel that involved Maximus waking in the underworld and encountering mythological beings before being resurrected, which could have allowed Crowe to remain at the forefront of the franchise.
This would not have worked, though, as it would undermine Gladiator‘s perfect ending and be a jarring switch to a mythological story. As Scott indicated, the simplest and most obvious way to continue the story was to instead focus on Lucius, and what becomes of him and Rome after the events of Gladiator. This ensures that Maximus’ legacy and his impact on Lucius can be an important part of the sequel without retroactively damaging the original film.
Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi) returning from the previous film will also help Gladiator II feel like a proper sequel. Unlike Maximus, their characters survived, and can still influence the story of Lucius, along with Rome’s ongoing political transformation. Gladiator II will feel different without Crowe and might struggle to live up to the heights of its predecessor, but there was no viable sequel with the actor, and therefore, no need for Scott to consult him.
Source: Empire