In 2000, Russell Crowe had the role of a lifetime as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. It was one of the biggest hits of Crowe’s career, and he won Best Actor at the Oscars for his performance. Next year, Scott is returning to the franchise with Gladiator 2. But since Maximus died at the end of the first movie, Crowe has some mixed emotions about the sequel going forward without him.
“I’m slightly uncomfortable [with] the fact that they’re making another one… because of course I’m dead and I have no say in what gets done,” said Crowe during his appearance on Kyle Meredith’s YouTube interview show. “But a couple of things that I’ve heard I’m like ‘Oh no no no no no no. That’s not in the moral journey of that particular character.’ But you can’t say anything, it’s not my place. I’m six foot under… so we’ll see what that is like.”
During the interview, Crowe mentioned that he’s on a worldwide tour with his band, and one of his stops is at the Coliseum in Rome where Maximus fought in the arena.
“I’ve had this incredible relationship with Italian people for the last 24 years,” said Crowe. “I’m currently the Ambassador for Rome in the world. But when they’ve got a new Gladiator that might change. I mean there’s a new younger model coming out next year. There’s a new Thunderbird on the block… so that might change.”
Later in the interview, Crowe noted that he still reflects back on the time when he made that movie and he expressed his gratitude for the doors it opened for him. Nevertheless, he can’t help feeling a little put out by the sequel.
“There’s definitely a… tinge of melancholy [and a] tinge of jealousy, because I remember when I had tendons,” added Crowe.
Gladiator 2 will hit theaters on November 22.
