The actor Russell Crowe, 60, tried to convince director Ridley Scott, 86, to bring his character Maximus back from the dead to Star in a sequel to the award-winning film “Gladiator” (2000).
In an interview with People magazine, the filmmaker revealed that he and the New Zealander exchanged some ideas about the project, and that, even after the character’s death at the end of the first feature, the actor insisted on returning.
“Russell and I tried [planejar ‘Gladiador 2’] about 18 years ago. I had Nick Cave writing the script and I had to do it again [para Russell]: ‘But you’re dead’. And he replied, ‘I know I’m dead. And I want to be resurrected’”.
One of the possibilities suggested by Scott was to create a mystical “portal” that would make Maximus’ spirit reincarnate through another warrior, however, Russell rejected the idea, as another actor would need to take on the main role.
“[Cogitamos a ideia de] a portal to resurrect him. The only alternative was to go to another battle and, through a dying warrior, he would return in that warrior’s spirit. This would be his portal”, explained the director. “[Crowe] said: ‘That’s no use for f***ing shit, right?’”
The highly anticipated sequel hit theaters this month, more than two decades after the release of the original film. The current plot does not include Crowe, but focuses on Lucius, son of Maximus, played by 28-year-old Irish actor Paul Mescal. Enslaved, Lúcio follows in his father’s footsteps and becomes a gladiator.
Russell recently admitted that he feels uncomfortable with the sequel, as some elements may be out of line with the main character’s essence.
“I’m a little uncomfortable that they’re doing another one, because, of course, I’m dead and I have no say in what gets done. Some of the things I heard made me think, ‘No, no, no, that’s not part of that particular character’s moral journey.’ But I can’t say anything, it’s not my place, I’m dead and gone. So we’ll see how it goes,” the star told Collider.
“Gladiator”: remember what happens in the 1st film before watching the sequel
This content was originally published in Russell Crowe wanted to resurrect the character for “Gladiator 2”, says director on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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