Russell Crowe may have started his acting career back in the mid-1980s by performing in musicals, but the one role that landed him true recognition was none other than his Oscar-winning role of Maximus in Gladiator. And yet, when it came to making the sequel Gladiator 2, filmmaker Ridley Scott seemingly didn’t quite choose to call the actor for the same.
Starring Paul Mescal in the lead, this sequel is set in the timeline years after Crowe’s character faces [SPOILER ALERT FOR GLADIATOR] his death at the hands of Commodus. That said, the Oscar-nominated director chose not to call the 60-year-old actor regarding making his appearance in this installment, and is now hoping that the latter doesn’t start “b-tching” about the same!
Ridley Scott Hopes Russell Crowe Doesn’t B-tch About Gladiator 2
Since it was none other than the master actor Russell Crowe who brought the famous Gladiator Maximus to life, there had been buzz and speculation about whether the actor could reappear in the sequel as well. At the very least, he could have been consulted for this upcoming second installment in the film series. But in the eyes of the director, that hardly seems to be the case.
As it turns out, in this upcoming movie starring Paul Mescal in the lead as Lucius, the son of Lucilla, who strives to return the glory of Rome to its people after Maximus’ death at the hands of Commodus, Crowe seemingly had zero involvement. Instead, filmmaker Ridley Scott chose not to include him and is now hoping Crowe doesn’t go around “b-tching” about the same.
That’s not all; Scott even has a pretty good reason why he chose to do so. As he confessed in an exclusive interview with Empire while talking about Crowe and his involvement in the sequel (via @DiscussingFilm on X):
I think we have a good relationship. I hope we do. As long as he doesn’t start b-tching about how he wasn’t consulted. Why would I? He’s dead!
For the record, the mastermind filmmaker, who perfectly knows his way of twisting and playing with words, was talking about the Robin Hood star’s character Maximus when he said that “he’s dead.” Nonetheless, fans are having some of the most hilarious reactions to this sarcastic comment as they do Scott with even better responses.
Fans React to Ridley Scott’s “He’s dead!” Comment
While choosing not to have him involved with the sequel was one thing, Scott going around justifying his actions by reasoning with a “why would I? He’s dead!” comment seems to have brought forward fans’ goofier side. To say the least, they are having some of the most ironic reactions as they respond to the filmmaker’s playful words with even wittier responses.
Here’s what some of them have to say about the same on X:
Putting it in a nutshell, it’s truly hilarious how Ridley Scott’s decision to leave Russell Crowe out of the Gladiator sequel has sparked such a reaction from fans. To say the least, fans haven’t quite disappointed as Scott’s reasoning about Crowe’s character being dead has been met with witty reactions from fans who are poking fun at the situation.
Gladiator II is set to hit the screens on November 22, 2024.
