Gladiator star and Academy Award winner Russell Crowe has confirmed that he will not play a part in the upcoming sequel. While his character, the courageous warrior Maximus Decimus Meridius did meet his end come the finale of the 2000 sword-and-sandals epic, many had held out hope that Gladiator 2 would find a way to include Crowe. But, speaking with the Fitzy & Wippa Podcast, Crowe revealed that there are no plans to work Maximus into the story.
"Yeah we've had dinner and talked about it and all that stuff. So I know roughly how he's shaping the story. But yeah, if you remember, there was a young kid who wanted to beat the Gladiator, which leads to the 'My name is' speech. So that young kid has grown up, and he's now the Emperor. I don't know what else happens at that point, so that's the idea. So it's not a remake. And it's not a direct sequel. It's not like the day after, you know, 30 years later or something."
After sharing the disappointing news, Crowe revealed that he had been kept in the loop regarding the story for Gladiator, confirming that it will indeed follow Lucius Verus, played in the first movie by Spencer Treat Clark, some 30 years after the events of the first Gladiator. Sadly, it sounds like there is no room for a de-aged flashback or a spirit guide and thus allow Russell Crowe to reprise what remains one of his most iconic roles.
Paul Mescal Has Now Been Cast as Lucius in Gladiator 2
Released back in 2000, and directed by Ridley Scott, the first Gladiator centers on Russell Crowe as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of the Emperor, murders his father and seizes the throne. Reduced to slavery, Maximus becomes a gladiator, rising through the ranks of the arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor. Gladiator was a huge success upon release, earning over $400 million worldwide and being nominated for 11 Oscars, winning Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
Aftersun and Normal People star Paul Mescal has now been cast as the older Lucius, with sources claiming that, despite some strong auditions from some very prominent A-listers, Mescal was returning director Ridley Scott’s favorite from the beginning.
Though currently unconfirmed, it has been hotly rumored that Gladiator 2 will follow Lucius as he searches for the truth about his biological father, discovering that he is, in fact, the secret son of Maximus. If true, and despite not appearing physically, the legacy of Maximus is sure to play a significant part in Gladiator 2.
The final draft of the Gladiator 2 script, which has been penned by Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig alongside Scott, was reportedly handed in back in November. Production on Gladiator 2 will reportedly begin as soon as May 2023. As for Russell Crowe, he can currently be seen in the thriller Poker Face, which finds the actor writing, directing, and starring.