Russell Crowe Gets Surprisingly Candid About Gladiator Sequel
Movie stars are also human beings, just like the rest of us. And here's proof.
While promoting his new upcoming movie, horror The Pope's Exorcist, Russell Crowe has been talking about Gladiator 2 with Collider recently, and has revealed what he really thinks about the upcoming movie.
Next year will see the release of the highly anticipated sequel to the 1999 classic. Ridley Scott is directing the movie, with Paul Mescal set to star as Lucius, son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).
Russell Crowe, however, will not be a part of Gladiator 2.
Still, the actor fondly remembers filming the original movie. He opens up that the experience "changed [his] life." Crowe continues on to share that Gladiator "holds a special place in [his] heart."
In a particularly candid moment of the interview, Crowe says that what he feels towards the upcoming sequel is "slightly jealous."
Mostly, because back then he was young and filming the movie he lived through once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The original Gladiator grossed $460 million, and earned itself 12 nominations for an Academy Award. Crowe has won an Oscar for his portrayal of Maximus Decimus Meridius.
In the first chapter, it is hinted that Maximus secretly fathered Lucius and that he was next in succession line to his uncle, emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix ).
With Barry Keoghan selected to portray the adversary emperor Geta, it appears possible that the plot of Gladiator 2 (which remains a mystery as of right now) will revolve around Lucius losing his reigning birthright.
The sequel appears to be set many years after the events of the original movie, with Lucius now a grown man.
Besides, Denzel Washington is in talks to join the movie.
The two-time Academy Awards winner will play a role that has been reportedly written for him specifically. David Scarpa penned the script, and Ridley Scott will co-EP the movie, apart from directing it.
The sequel will see the same costume designer and production designer who worked on the original movie, so the visual part of Gladiator 2 already seems to be safe.