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Russell Crowe Condemns 'Gladiator II' for Missing the Moral Core of 'Gladiator'

The actor told Australia’s Triple J that the sequel misunderstood the original’s moral center.

Overview

  • Crowe said the new film favored spectacle over the ethical backbone that made his character compelling in the 2000 original.
  • He recalled daily fights during the first movie’s production to prevent proposed sex scenes he believed would erode Maximus’s integrity.
  • His comments were aired in a Triple J interview and circulated in a clip posted to the station’s Instagram account.
  • Crowe has previously said he was not consulted on the sequel and had no say because his character dies in the original film.
  • The 2024 sequel grossed about $462 million worldwide and drew more tempered reviews and awards attention, as Ridley Scott has discussed ideas for a potential third installment.