Russell Crowe in his decades-long career has dabbled with numerous genres, roles, and characters. From being the legendary outlaw Robin Hood to being the greek God Zeus in Marvel, Crowe has given the film world numerous memorable characters. And yet while he continues to show impeccable performances one after the other, his role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator will surely continue to define him till time immemorial.
And with the sequel of the Oscar-winning film in development for quite some time now, the actor has understandably been plagued by countless questions about it. And in response to all those questions, which have made his media appearances a literal hell, the actor finally broke off his silence while at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival last year.
Russell Crowe Wants Nothing To Do With His Most Famous Movie
Russell Crowe has had quite a few hits in his career and definitely has more to come down the road. Yet his contribution to the world of cinema seems to be dominated by his most famous movie ever, Gladiator. Made against a budget of $103 million and grossing over $465 million (via Box Office Mojo), the Ridley Scott movie has become a cult classic now.
With a sequel in the works releasing later this year, Crowe’s public life has become a nightmare for him thanks to the endless questions about it. Finally, at the end of his witts, the actor had had enough at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival last year where he was being awarded for his outstanding contributions to cinema.
While speaking to the journalists there (via Variety), the actor remarked about Gladiator 2,
“They should be f*cking paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in… I don’t know anything about the cast, I don’t know anything about the plot.”
And so while we all would love to have Crowe back in the Roman world, it would be better to leave the poor guy alone for he has suffered enough for the past 20 or so years being asked about the original movie, and now the sequel over and over again!
Will Gladiator 2 Have Russell Crowe?
Gladiator remains one of the best movies of Russell Crowe till date and to have him back in the Roman world after 24 years would definitely be a grand moment. Yet, the actor has again and again denied that he is not a part of the sequel despite being in Malta last year. Although he made it clear later on that he was there because he had a concert there (via Deadline), fans are still desperate to see him even if it is a small cameo.
And while at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (via Variety), the actor yet again stated he is not a part of it since he is dead in that world!
“It has nothing to do with me. In that world, I am dead. Six feet under.”
Yet the actor can’t help but feel a small tinge of jealousy,
“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.”
Adding on that Gladiator 2 will be spectacular, the actor appears to have long moved on from his Gladiator days even though the audience is not yet ready to say goodbye to his beloved character, Maximus.
Gladiator 2 will be in theatres on November 22, 2024.
