Overview
- In a new Triple J interview, Crowe said the 2024 sequel misunderstood what made Gladiator resonate, calling it stripped of the first film's moral core.
- He objected to a storyline that implies Maximus engaged in an extramarital relationship and fathered a child, calling the premise implausible.
- Crowe recalled rejecting proposed sex scenes during the 2000 production to preserve the character's credibility and strength.
- He said female fans confronted him about the sequel despite his lack of involvement, recounting complaints he received in a restaurant.
- Gladiator II earned about $462 million worldwide and received a single Oscar nomination for costume design, while the 2000 original won five Oscars and grossed roughly $465 million.