So, guess who’s getting all worked up about the Gladiator sequel? None other than Russell Crowe! Yes, our favorite Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, now a seasoned 60-year-old, has a lot to say about this cinematic resurrection.
In a recent chit-chat, Russell confessed that the idea of a Gladiator 2 makes him squirm in his toga. Why, you ask? Well, it turns out the whole “being dead” thing is a bit of a bummer when it comes to script decisions.
“I’m slightly uncomfortable with the fact they’re making another one — because, of course, I’m dead and I have no say in what gets done,” Russell spilled the beans on Kyle Meredith With… “But a couple of the things I’ve heard I’m like, ‘No, no, no, that’s not in the moral journey of that particular character.’ But I can’t say anything, it’s not my place, I’m six foot under. So we’ll see what that is like.”
Translation: Russell’s ghost is totally side-eyeing the new script from the afterlife. Someone get this man a ghostwriter credit!
In the past, Russell joked he should get a paycheck for every time someone pesters him about the sequel. And who could blame him? It’s like being haunted by your own film legacy. Still, he did throw a bone to director Ridley Scott, saying he had faith in the sequel under Ridley’s watchful eye.
So, as we wait for Gladiator 2, let’s hope they don’t botch Maximus’ legacy. After all, you wouldn’t want to upset a gladiator ghost, would you?
