Ridley Scott has brought the sequel of one of his greatest hits, Gladiator starring Russell Crowe in the lead as Maximus. About 24 years later, Scott directed the sequel of the movie with a roaster of talented cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and industry veteran Denzel Washington. However, the director never consulted the original star Crowe and the actor openly shared that he was slightly uncomfortable with it. But in the latest interview, Scott brutally shuts down the idea of consulting Crowe for the historical epic.
Ridley Scott Commented On Not Consulting Russell Crowe For Gladiator II
Ridley Scott. Image Credit: Gage Skidmore/CC
“Why Would I?” Ridley Scott responded when asked about not consulting original Gladiator star Russell Crowe for the highly anticipated sequel of the movie that earned Crowe an Oscar. Crowe has recently shared his disappointment over Scott not approaching him for suggestions and the director has recently shut it down saying that he had no reason to do so. In a chat with EMPIRE Magazine for the latest issue, Scott shared that Crowe’s association with the movie was over with the first movie itself.
“The plot, frankly, was right under our noses,” Scott told the magazine while discussing Gladiator II. “I think it was so close under our noses that we thought it was too simple,” he continued.
“I think [Crowe is] still one of the best actors in the world, and 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!” Scott who directed Napoleon last year starring Crowe’s Gladiator co-star Joaquin Phoenix said.
Crowe is yet to respond to the director’s brutal jibe.
Russell Crowe Admitted Being Jealous Of Gladiator II
Russell Crowe. Image Credit: Universal Pictures/ DreamWorks Pictures
Prior to Scott’s recent comment on Crowe, the actor had been telling different outlets that he was not quite happy being ignored for the sequel. Crowe’s character Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius died which inherently ended his association with the movie’s sequel but it appears that the actor is not over the movie Scott again prepares a grand historical epic with a set of new stars. “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,” Crowe shared on the Kyle Meredith With… podcast.
The 60-year-old went on to add, “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.”
“It does, in a funny way — I reflect back: the age I was when I made that film and all the things that came after it, the doors that particular movie opened for me. This is just me being purely honest: there’s definitely a tinge of melancholy, a tinge of jealousy.” He then quipped, “I remember when I had tendons.”
In another interview with Collider, Crowe admitted his displeasure about the whole ordeal. “The only thing that I really feel about it is slightly jealous, you know?” the actor who recently appeared in William Eubank’s Land of Bad said. “Because I was a much younger man, obviously, and it was a huge experience in my life. It’s something that changed my life, really. It changed the way people regarded me and what I do for a living, and, you know, I’ve been very lucky to be involved in lots of big movies, but the legs on that film are incredible,” he added.
The actor has been emotionally attached to the original movie for its “longevity” which most films lack and “holds a special place” in his heart.
Gladiator II is slated to hit theaters on November 15. Stream Gladiator on Prime Video and Paramount+.
