Russell Crowe Slams Gladiator II as 'Unfortunate Example' of Bad Sequel
The Oscar-winning actor doesn't hold back when discussing the 2024 follow-up, criticizing key plot decisions that he believes betray the original film's essence.
The star who brought Maximus Decimus Meridius to life in the 2000 Oscar-winning blockbuster isn't mincing words about the recent follow-up. Russell Crowe has openly criticized Gladiator II, calling it a prime example of how sequels can miss the mark entirely.
Speaking with Australian radio station Triple J, Crowe didn't hesitate to express his disappointment with the 2024 film starring Paul Mescal. The new movie presents Mescal's character as the illegitimate son of Maximus and Connie Nielsen's Lucilla, positioning him as the rightful heir to Caesar's throne.
Missing the Point Entirely
"I think the recent sequel that, you know, we don't have to name out loud, is a really unfortunate example of even the people in that engine room not actually understanding what made the first one special," Crowe explained during the interview. He later clarified he was indeed referring to Gladiator II.
According to the actor, the filmmakers completely misunderstood what audiences connected with in the original. "It wasn't the pomp. It wasn't the circumstance. It wasn't the action. It was the moral core," he emphasized.
Fighting Against Compromising Storylines
Crowe revealed that maintaining his character's integrity was a constant battle during production of the first film. He particularly objects to the sequel's central premise that Maximus fathered a child with Lucilla.
"The thing is, there was a daily fight to keep that moral core of the character. The amount of times they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus, it's like, you're taking away his power," he recalled. "What are you talking about? You're saying at the same time he had this relationship with his wife, he was fucking this other girl? What are you talking about? It's crazy."
A Contrived Plot That Falls Short
The storyline in Gladiator II does feel forced and lacks the weight that made the original so compelling. Unlike its predecessor, which achieved legendary status among moviegoers, the sequel hasn't managed to capture that same epic quality or emotional resonance that defined the first film's success.