Why is Russell Crowe unhappy with Gladiator 2?

Russell Crowe believes Gladiator 2 lacks the moral core that made the original film successful and was not consulted on its creation.

What did Russell Crowe say about the Gladiator sequel's plot?

Crowe feels the sequel's narrative choices, like Maximus having an affair and a child, detract from the original character's resolute dedication.

Was Russell Crowe involved in Gladiator 2?

No, Russell Crowe was not consulted by Ridley Scott or the filmmakers of Gladiator 2, and his character died in the original film.

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Crowe: Gladiator 2 Misses Original's Moral Core

9 Dec

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Summary

Russell Crowe criticizes 'Gladiator 2' for lacking moral core.
He believes the sequel misunderstands what made the original special.
Crowe was not consulted on the sequel's narrative choices.

Crowe: Gladiator 2 Misses Original's Moral Core

Russell Crowe has publicly shared his disappointment with the recent sequel to 'Gladiator,' directed by Ridley Scott. He argues that the new film fundamentally misunderstands what made the 2000 original so impactful, asserting that the original's success was rooted in its moral core, not merely its grandeur or action sequences.

Crowe, who earned an Academy Award for his portrayal of Maximus, detailed his own battles on set to preserve the character's integrity. He recalled frequent suggestions for sex scenes, which he felt undermined Maximus' resolute dedication to his murdered family, a driving force of the original narrative. The sequel, however, introduces a past affair and a child for Maximus, a narrative turn Crowe seems to view as a departure from the character's established morality.

Furthermore, Crowe confirmed that neither Ridley Scott nor anyone involved in 'Gladiator 2' reached out to him for consultation. While he acknowledges a "tinge of jealousy" due to the sequel's reminder of his younger career, he expressed frustration at being asked about a film he is not part of, emphasizing that his character died in the original.