AGladiatorsequel is in the works, and while there will be some returning stars in the new film,Russell Crowewill not be among them. Production onGladiator 2is currently underway with Ridley Scott back in the director’s chair, joined by originalGladiatorstars Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Derek Jocobi. While Crowe starred in the original film, his character dies in the end, and as such, the actor does not return to reprise his role as Maximus in the sequel.
Even so, as one of the stars ofGladiator, Crowe has been consistently asked aboutGladiator 2in various media interviews. He addressed this while speaking with the press at Karlovy Vary Film Festival, perVariety. Using some colorful language, Crowe went on to joke about how he should be paid by the studio for how much he’s been promotingGladiator 2by speaking about the film, despite having no involvement whatsoever.
“They should be f**king paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in,” the actor said, admitting that he’s jealous in a way that he’s not involved. “It has nothing to do with me. In that world, I am dead. Six feet under. But I do admit to a certain tinge of jealousy, because it reminds me of when I was younger and what it meant for me, in my life.”
Still adding some hype for the film while reiterating how he doesn’t know a single thing about it, Crowe added, “I don’t know anything about the cast, I don’t know anything about the plot. I am dead! But I know that if Ridley has decided to do a second part of the story, over 20 years later, he must have had very strong reasons. I can’t think of this movie being anything other than spectacular.”
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Russell Crowe Doesn’t Know Much About Gladiator 2
While Crowe says he doesn’t know very much, he has suggested that he is aware of the basic concept of the story.While previously speaking on theFitzy & Wippa Podcast, Crowe explained how he’d had dinner with the filmmakers, giving him some idea of where the plot is going, while confirming that his Maximus character won’t be making any kind of appearance.
“Yeah we’ve had dinner and talked about it and all that stuff,” Crowe said. “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.”
While full plot details haven’t been released, what’s known aboutGladiator 2is that it will primarily follow Lucius, the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus in the original film. Paul Mescal is playing the role, though the character was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark. Along with returning cast members Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Derek Jacobi, the film stars Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, May Calamawy, Lior Raz, and Pedro Pascal.
With Ridley Scott directing, the screenplay comes from David Scarpta. Scott also produces with Michael Pruss, Douglas Wick, and Lucy Fisher.
Gladiator 2will be released in movie theaters on Jul 30, 2025.
