‘Gladiator II’: Russell Crowe’s bid to resurrect Maximus, why it never happened

The absence of Russell Crowe in "Gladiator II" has sparked curiosity, but director Ridley Scott recently revealed the Oscar-winning actor's determined attempts to revive his iconic character, Maximus. Despite Crowe's efforts, the plotlines to resurrect the fallen hero never materialised, leaving him out of the highly anticipated sequel.  

In an interview with People magazine, Scott shared insights into the actor's persistence. "Russell and I had a go at it around 18 years ago," he said. "I had Nick Cave writing the script, and I kept saying [to Russell], 'But you're dead.' And he said, 'I know I'm dead. And I want to come back from the dead.'"  

The script that never was  

Back in the early 2000s, musician Nick Cave crafted a wildly ambitious script commissioned by Crowe. The story placed Maximus in a mythological purgatory, enlisting him in a divine revenge mission with Roman gods. The narrative spiralled through time, showcasing Maximus fighting in the Crusades, World Wars, and Vietnam.  

Despite its bold concept, Crowe was unimpressed. "Don't like it, mate," Cave recalled of Crowe's reaction. The writer admitted he never expected the story to be greenlit but enjoyed the creative challenge.  

Ridley Scott also explored alternative ideas for bringing Maximus back. One involved a dying warrior serving as a "portal" for Maximus' spirit. However, the need for a new actor to portray the reincarnated hero left Crowe unconvinced. "He said, 'So that's no f—ing good, is it?'" Scott recalled. 

After years of stalled progress, Scott officially began work on "Gladiator II" in 2018, focusing on the story of Lucius, the grown-up son of Maximus and Lucilla. The sequel follows Lucius (played by Paul Mescal) as he embarks on a journey of vengeance against the Roman Empire and fights to restore democratic ideals.  

While Crowe has expressed discomfort with his character's exclusion, Scott offered a pragmatic response: "He's dead!" He added, "I think Russell is still one of the best actors in the world, and I think we have a good relationship. But why would I consult him? Maximus is no longer part of the story." 

"Gladiator II", released on November 22, features a star-studded cast including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Fred Hechinger, and Joseph Quinn. Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprise their roles from the original film, while the sequel has already delivered impressive box-office numbers, raking in US $205 million ahead of Thanksgiving — the best pre-holiday opening in over a decade.  

Looking ahead, Scott hinted at a potential third instalment of the franchise, though it's unlikely Crowe will be involved. "I've got the beginning of a very good footprint for a threequel," Scott teased.  

As for Crowe, he remains philosophical about his exclusion. Earlier this year, he remarked, "I'm six feet under, so it's not my place to say anything. We'll see what they come up with."

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