Actor Russell Crowe shared his thoughts on the first script for his 2000 blockbuster epic, “Gladiator,” saying it was “absolute garbage.”
The “American Gangster” actor said the script had a “great concept” but questioned the viability of some scenes with modern audiences, suggesting he was close to quitting the role.
Crowe expressed “jealousy” about the sequel, which is reportedly in the works and will star Paul Mescal. The New Zealand-born actor will not reprise his role on set but expressed his support for Mescal.
Read on for more details.
Russell Crowe Says First ‘Gladiator’ Script Was Bad
Crowe, 59, sat for Vanity Fair career breakdown YouTube series to discuss a variety of topics, including his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 epic historical film “Gladiator.”
He claimed that the first script he saw for the film, directed by Ridley Scott, was “absolute rubbish” and that he considered walking away from the project at one point.
“I am confident in my abilities as a leading man. What I’m not sure about ‘Gladiator’ is the world around me,” he said, per Insider. “At the core of what we’re doing is a great concept, but the script is rubbish. And it has all these weird sequences.”
The film follows the life of Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a loyal general who is betrayed and sold into slavery by the new emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Maximus rises as a gladiator and takes revenge on Commodus while fighting for his freedom and the glory of Rome.
He Didn’t Stop Filming Because of Ridley Scott
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“Les Miserables” star revealed to Vanity Fair that his constant conversations with the director, Scott, prevented him from leaving the project.
Crowe then narrated a scene where gladiators would ride in a chariot with signs promoting olive oil and other products but insinuated that he was uncomfortable with it.
“That’s all true, but it won’t ring true to a modern audience,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘What the hell is all this?’ The energy around what we do is very fractured. I thought several times, ‘Maybe my best option is to get on a plane and get out of here.’ It was my ongoing conversations with Ridley that gave me confidence.”
He added that Ridley encouraged him by telling him nothing would be filmed if he didn’t believe in it 100%. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
Russell Crowe ‘A Little Jealous’ About Sequels
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In a recent interview with Violator, Crowe shared that he was jealous that a sequel to the film was in the works. “Gladiator 2” is the follow-up to Crowe’s academy award-winning historical epic but will surprisingly not feature him on set.
The “Man of Steel” actor was asked what he would like to see in the highly anticipated sequel.
“I don’t know where they’re going with it,” he told the publication. “I’m sure there were things in Scott’s mind over the last 24 years that he thought he could have done better. I think that’s one of the positives about it, that it’s Ridley because he’s going to want to go back into that world and create something on the same level of spectacle as the first one.”
He continued, “I mean, look, the only thing I felt about it was jealousy, you know? Because I was a much younger man it was a huge experience in my life. It was something that changed my life.”
Russell Crowe will not appear in ‘Gladiator 2’
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During an appearance on “The Ryan Turbidy Show,” Crowe revealed that he will not reprise his role in “Gladiator 2.” Paul Mescal of “Orang Biasa” fame will star in the film, which is slated for release in late November 2024.
Per DiversitySince Crowe’s character, Maximus, died at the end of the original film, Mescal, 27, will play Lucius, the son of Maximus’ lover, Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen), in the sequel.
Although Crowe may be “a little jealous,” he gave Mescal his blessing in the upcoming role and wished him “good luck.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
