Much has been said about Russell Crowe 's absence from the new Gladiator sequel. The actor, now 60, won an Oscar for Best Actor in 2001 for his performance in the first film as Maximus, a former ...

Gladiator II is an indirect sequel to the first Gladiator. It follows Lucius, the nephew of the previous movie's antagonist, Commodus (played by Joker star Joaquin Phoenix).

Russell Crowe is looking back at his time on Gladiator and revealing that he almost walked away from the Ridley Scott-directed 2000 film as he thought the script was “absolute rubbish.” In an ...

Russell Crowe wanted to keep spectators entertained. While the Oscar-winning star of 2000’s Gladiator is not in the film’s follow-up, he did valiantly try to be. According to helmer Ridley ...

The original plan for Gladiator 2 did indeed envision Russell Crowe returning as his iconic character Maximus, but it was far beyond the reach of any viewer’s imagination.

Russell Crowe played Maximus in the original "Gladiator" film. (Universal) "Barry got locked into ‘Saltburn,' Scott said. "I think that’s maybe the best film I’ve seen this year.

And he goes, ‘just a little less snot.’ Though the stories about Russell Crowe’s alleged Gladiator script contributions have been debunked, inspired scenes like this still live on.

Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott on the 2000 movie’s set. ©DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection Despite the drama, “Gladiator” won five Academy Awards — including Best Picture.