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We waited a protracted, very long time for director Ridley Scott to make a sequel to his beloved 2000 Greatest Image-winning traditional, “Gladiator.” That sequel arrived in late 2024 within the type of “Gladiator II.” Although not practically as roundly praised as its predecessor, the sequel did end as one of many highest-grossing films of the 12 months, and it did so with out bringing again its earlier star, Oscar-winner Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius. That is as a result of Maximus died within the first one … however that did not forestall the writers from attempting to convey him again anyway.
In a latest interview with The Direct, screenwriter Peter Craig revealed that there was, at one level, a scene that may have introduced again Crowe as Maximus. This may have taken place in direction of the tip of the movie and it might have occurred by way of a flashback with Paul Mescal’s Lucius, who (spoiler alert) is definitely Maximus’ son. Here is what Craig needed to say about it:
“There was an concept that the Romans had that you could possibly speak to your ancestors, they usually have these underground catacombs the place folks’s urns and ashes and bones had been all buried beneath the town. There had been a scene the place as soon as Lucius finds out that it is his father, he goes down there and he finds his grave. And there was simply going to be a extremely temporary flashback with Russell.”
For what it is value, solely two actors from the primary “Gladiator” returned within the sequel: Connie Nielsen (Lucilla) and Derek Jacobi (Senator Gracchus). So it is not as if Crowe was lacking out on some large reunion. Nonetheless, it is easy to see why Craig and Scott a minimum of thought-about this feature.
Gladiator II was most likely higher off with out Russell Crowe
For higher or worse, Maximus solid a really giant shadow over the sequel, regardless that Crowe does not truly seem within the movie. There have been totally different variations of the sequel floated through the years, however Scott lastly felt prefer it was the proper time to make “Gladiator II.” Doing so with out the folks that made the unique such a giant hit was a tall order.
A number of different writers, together with Scott, finally crafted the story that we noticed unfold within the sequel. The director ended up being a giant fan of the way it turned out, as he is already introduced plans for a possible “Gladiator 3” with Paul Mescal returning. Craig, for his half, feels they made the proper name in leaving this flashback scene out of the film:
“I believe they most likely made the proper choice not utilizing it. However I used to be on that with Ridley [Scott] for some time … I type of gave them a giant menu of stuff, they usually chosen some issues from it, and I believe they left a whole lot of the proper stuff off of it.”
Whether or not or not the sequel was a satisfying follow-up is basically a matter of particular person style. A cameo from Crowe most likely would not have moved the needle an excessive amount of both manner, nevertheless it may need felt a bit compelled. “Gladiator II” has been criticized for its lack of historic accuracy, however once more, Scott is not getting down to make an correct historic epic. Are you not entertained, he may ask?
You’ll be able to seize “Gladiator II” on 4K, Blu-ray, or DVD from Amazon.