Russell Crowe Blasts ‘Gladiator 2’ For Lacking ‘Moral Core’ That Made The First One Great
Actor Russell Crowe had some words of condemnation for the film “Gladiator 2,” which he says was missing a crucial component compared to the first one.
“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 said while speaking with Australia’s Triple J. “It wasn’t the pomp. It wasn’t the circumstance. It wasn’t the action. It was the moral core.”
Crowe won an Oscar for his portrayal of Maximus in the first “Gladiator” (2000). The sequel was released nearly a quarter of a century later, in 2024.
The actor said he was instrumental in keeping the “moral core” of Maximus while filming the original, saying it was important to him because it fit the character.
“The thing is, there was a daily fight on that set. It was a daily fight to keep that moral core of the character,” Crowe went on. “The amount of times they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus, it’s like you’re taking away his power. So you’re saying at the same time he had this relationship with his wife, he was f***king this other girl? What are you talking about? It’s crazy.”
Many commenters on the interview agreed that the second movie did not live up to the caliber of the first.
“It was an awful sequel that in no way lived up to its predecessor,” one person wrote.
“100% agree with his take and this is one of the many reasons Maximus is one of my favorite movie protagonists,” another person agreed. “One of the few stories who the hero is fueled by revenge for their love that was taken from them and they actually stay loyal and honor the memory of that person they’re on this crusade for.”
One of the issues Crowe seems to have with “Gladiator 2” was that its premise included Maximus having had an affair which resulted in the birth of a son, who was the protagonist in the film.
This isn’t the first time the “Gladiator” star brought up the issue of morality in the films. He said in 2024, “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. 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.”
The Australian actor also said at the time that he was fed up with people asking him about the film when he had no say in it.
“They should be f***ing paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in,” Crowe said in 2023.
“It has nothing to do with me. In that world, I am dead. Six feet under. But I do admit to a certain tinge of jealousy, because it reminds me of when I was younger and what it meant for me, in my life.”
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