Before the premiere of “Gladiator 2” the actor who gives life to the protagonist of the first film, Russell Crowe 60, gave some statements about the sequel, which hits Brazilian cinemas this Thursday (14).
He, who won the Oscar for Best Actor in Ridley Scott’s epic film, said he was uncomfortable with the continuation .
“I’m a little uncomfortable with the fact that they’re making another [filme de ‘Gladiador’]pBecause, of course, I am dead and have no say in what will be done. I can’t say anything, it’s none of my business,” he said in an interview with Kyle Meredith’s podcast.
The interviewer suggested that he could be a mentor to Paul Mescal, who stars in “Gladiator 2,” and the actor jokingly responded, “It’s hard to be a mentor when you’re dead.”
“I reflect on how old I was when I made that movie and all the things that came after it and the doors that that particular movie opened for me. So there’s definitely a little bit, and this is just to be honest, a little bit of melancholy, a little bit of jealousy,” Crowe admitted.
The New Zealand actor, however, believes that regardless of the outcome of the sequel, it should not affect the reputation of “Gladiator” (2000), which won five Oscars.
“I have no problem saying that I am a little melancholy about this because it definitely means I’m getting old. (…) But I’m kind of proud of the fact that it took 25 years for him to [Ridley Scott] do that “, he declared in an interview with RTE Radio 1 in June.
“Obviously they think they can now do this without negatively affecting the reputation of the first [filme] or something like that,” he said.
What is the story of “Gladiator 2”?
“Gladiator 2” is set 25 years after the events of the first film, in which Maximus (Russell Crowe), a powerful Roman general, awakens the wrath of Marcus Aurelius’s (Richard Harris) son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), before the emperor’s death. When the heir takes power, he is sentenced to death, however, he manages to escape and goes into hiding as a slave and gladiator while seeking revenge.
The new plot centers on Lucius, son of Lucilla and nephew of Commodus, who was inspired by Maximus. In the first film, the character is a child, played by Spencer Treat Clark. Now, Paul Mescal (“Normal People” and “Aftersun”) brings the protagonist.
When he was still young, Lucilla sent him to the north coast of Africa, to a region called Numidia that was – at that time – beyond the reach of the Roman Empire. Older, he lives a relatively peaceful life with his wife and children until the conquerors of his homeland invade his new home, under the leadership of a general trained by Maximus.
Cast of “Gladiator 2”
- Paul Mescal
- Pedro Pascal
- Denzel Washington
- Connie Nielsen
- Joseph Quinn
- Fred Hechinger
- Derek Jacobi
Watch the trailer for “Gladiator 2”:
This content was originally published in “Gladiador”: see what Russell Crowe thinks of the sequence on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
