Russell Crowe’s Attempts to Return in Gladiator Sequel Quashed

Legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott has revealed that Russell Crowe, the star of the original Gladiator film, made substantial efforts to appear in the long-anticipated sequel despite his character, Maximus, dying at the end of the 2000 classic. Crowe, who won the Best Actor Oscar for his role, was keen on returning to the Roman epic.

«Russell and I had a go at it around 18 years ago,» Scott, 86, told PEOPLE. «I had Nick Cave writing the script, and I kept saying [to Russell], ‘But you’re dead.’ And he said, ‘I know I’m dead. And I want to come back from the dead.'»

In the original film, Crowe’s character, Maximus, was a former Roman general forced to fight for his life in the Colosseum. He ultimately succumbs to his wounds after killing Roman Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. The sequel is said to focus on Lucius, Maximus’s son, who is also forced into the life of a gladiator.

Scott considered unconventional ways to include Maximus, involving «a portal to bring him back from the dead.» «The only way of doing it was to go to another battle and through a dying warrior, he comes back into the spirit of the warrior,» Scott explained.

However, Crowe dismissed the idea upon learning it would require casting another actor to portray the reincarnated character. «He said, ‘So that’s no f—ing good, is it?'» Scott recalled, noting that the concept did not come to fruition.

Crowe has expressed feelings of «FOMO» (fear of missing out) due to his exclusion from the sequel, telling an Australian publication, «I was a much younger man, obviously, and it was a huge experience in my life.» The actor noted that the original film still «holds a special place in my heart.»

Russell Crowe further discussed his feelings on the matter during a podcast, stating, «my character is dead, and I have no say in what gets done» in future storylines. «Can’t say anything. It’s not my place. I’m six foot under,» he said.

Two of the original film’s cast will reprise their roles: Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, along with new cast members, including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn.

Paul Mescal, who leads the sequel, acknowledged that he did not feel the need to consult Crowe before taking on the role, saying, «Ultimately, I have to stand behind this entirely by myself. … You can’t rely on anyone besides the script and the director and yourself,» he told the press.

Director Scott also commented, «I’ll add to that: Why would Roger Moore call up Sean Connery [for a James Bond movie]? … What’s he gonna do that for?»