After the exceptional success of “Gladiator” (2000), actor Russell Crowe, Oscar winner for his performance in Ridley Scott's film, wanted to return for a second opus. Despite the death of his character.
While “Gladiator II” panics the box office counters after its release (November 13), director Ridley Scott admitted that the film could have been completely different.
Russell Crowe wanted to be part of Gladiator II. The American actor even asked his director, Ridley Scott, to find a solution to revive him: “Russell (Crowe) and I were talking about it 18 years ago,” said the English director. I told him “but you’re dead!” And he answered me: 'I know that I am dead and I want to come back from the dead'.”
The musician and writer, Nick Cave, therefore received the difficult task of writing a sequel to the film of the year 2000. Commissioned by Russell Crowe, he was to succeed in bringing Maximus back to life for a new feature film. Nick Clave's proposal was to stage Maximus surrounded by Roman gods, in purgatory. He would be asked to avenge the Roman deities against others, in exchange for a reunion with his deceased family.
Ultimately, the actor did not seem convinced by Nick Cave's proposal. The writer admits that he told him “I don’t like it, my friend”. No matter, the artist doesn't blame Russell Crowe: “I really enjoyed writing this because I knew, in reality, that it would never see the light of day.”
Finally, Ridley Scott turned to a new story, that of Lucius, son of Maximus. The iconic character of Russell Crowe, if he is no longer the center of this second story, remains omnipresent and continues to set the tone for the “Gladiator” universe.
Related News :