Russell Crowe has starred in some of the most memorable and acclaimed films of the 90s and early 2000s. Films like Romper Stomper, L.A Confidential, and The Insider made Hollywood take great notice of the actor’s capabilities. After The Insider, Crowe would commit to his biggest movie up to that point with Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.
At the time, no one believed that Gladiator was a wise choice for Crowe to commit to as historical epics were not as celebrated anymore. However, Crowe trusted Scott’s vision and put his heart and soul into the movie. Industry experts had already written off the film and the actor got to know that through a surprising conversation.
People Had No Hope For Russell Crowe’s Gladiator And Believed It Would Be A Big Flop
After doing some great character-driven roles in the late 90s, Russell Crowe starred in the big-budget historical epic Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott. The film chronicles the journey of Crowe’s character Maximus Decimus Meridius who is betrayed by the son of the king he serves and vows to take revenge for the various injustices done to him and his family.
Crowe was coming off of some great films like L.A. Confidential and The Insider, so people in the industry were confused about him doing a historical period film, a genre that was slowly fading away. Many believed that he had gone out of touch with the happenings in the industry and Crowe revealed how people had written off the film early on before they even saw it.
In an interview with Variety, the actor stated that he had a conversation with someone about his experience working on the film and how physically demanding his role was. The person took that as a negative and told him that he had at least L.A. Confidential at that point, and it would probably save him some face after Gladiator‘s flops. Crowe was surprised that people thought that low about Gladiator. He said,
Most people had already sort of written it off from a business point of view. They didn’t know anything about it. What they heard was that it was a ‘sword and sandal’ epic, you know, the cliche that they used to call things like that. I had one conversation with a guy who asked me about it, and I was talking to him about how difficult the shoot had been because just being honest.
He said, ‘Well, look, you’ll always have ‘L.A. Confidential.’ If a career has a movie that fine, you’ll be able to work.’ And I went out of that meeting and talked about it with my agent, I was like, ‘Is that what people really think?’ And he goes, ‘Well, yep.’
Gladiator would defy all the expectations and misconceptions, becoming a huge hit. The film grossed $460 million against a $103 million budget (via Box Office Mojo). The film was loved by audiences and won five Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. Scott is returning with a sequel to the film this year.
Russell Crowe Does Not Agree With The Direction That Gladiator II Is Taking
Ridley Scott is bringing back the world of the Academy Award-winning Gladiator with Gladiator II, with Paul Mescal in the lead. The first film’s lead Russell Crowe will not be returning as his character died at the end of Gladiator. When asked about his feelings about Scott doing a sequel, Crowe revealed that he is slightly uncomfortable about it.
The actor further stated that he has heard some things about the film and he does not necessarily agree with the direction they are taking with some characters. However, it is not his place to say anything and would be open to seeing how the film turns out. Crowe told Kyle Meredith (via YouTube),
I’m slightly uncomfortable, the fact that they’re making another one, you know? Because of course, I’m dead, and I have no say in what gets done. A couple of things that I’ve heard, I’m like, ‘No, no, no. That’s not in the moral journey of that particular character.’ But you know, I can’t say anything. That’s not my place. I’m six feet under. So we’ll see what that is like.
In addition to Mescal, Gladiator II will also star Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi.
The much-anticipated sequel to one of Scott’s beloved films will hit theatres on November 22, 2024. Fans can catch up on 2000’s Gladiator on Prime Video.
