Gladiator II
Summary
Russell Crowe is a noteworthy absentee from Ridley Scott ’s bequest subsequence , Gladiator II , but the full account for his fade is n’t as obvious as it might seem . Gladiator II ’s castfeatures an impressive list of returnees and novel additions . However , even though the follow - up is rooted in the original story , the fact that the original star will not boast signifies a clean-cut power point of difference between the projection .
Gladiator IIwill arrive in theaters in November , 2024 .
Set after theoriginalGladiator ’s ending , Gladiator IIfollows Paul Mescal ’s Lucius , who featured in the 2000 film , although played by a different actor . The picture chart Lucius ' journey from Roman North Africa , where he is defeated in battle and sell into slavery , echoing the journey of Maximus from the first movie . The similarity between Lucius ' story and Maximus ' are preternatural . However , although the reference seem to mirror each other , there ’s no chance of seeing the pair appear on - screen together , since Russell Crowe is not give to the franchise . As unsatisfying as this may seem , there are multiple good reasons for the new approach .
Russell Crowe’s Maximus Died In Gladiator - But That Doesn’t Mean He Couldn’t Have Returned
There Were Still Ways To Bring Him Back
The obvious account forRussell Crowe ’s absence seizure fromGladiator IIis that his character , the legendaryMaximus Decimus Meridius , died at the death of the first movie . As such , bringing him back would have either call for an tremendous retcon , or a break into slightly more intellectual or spectral territory for the follow - up . As emblematic as the lineament doubtless is – as evidenced by the multiple Maximus mention in thefirstGladiator IItrailer – bringing him back would dare logic in what is , in narrative terms , a reasonably traditional floor .
However , even though Maximus ' death made Russell Crowe ’s absence almost inevitable , there were several direction that the franchise could still have brought him back – without completely shell out with realness . One way for the flick to comprise him into the story is through flashbacks . TheGladiator IItrailer already explain thatLucius has been shaped by the events he witness in the Colosseum , so revisiting those moments ( and Maximus ' role in them ) could have made mother wit . While this may have involved de - senescent Russell Crowe , it would have been a potentially viable alternative for the report .
Since there is already a precedent for let in dead characters in the serial , it ’s not a stretch to assume that Maximus could have been given similar treatment .
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A 2nd approach shot could have been to feature Maximus in an afterlife scene . The originalGladiatoralready incorporated scenes of what awaited Maximus beyond the grave , reunite him with his wife and tyke . Since there is already a precedent for including dead characters in the series , it ’s not a stretch to take over that Maximus could have been given like treatment . As a result , it ’s exonerated that there are other explanations behindGladiator II ’s Russell Crowe absence seizure that go beyond Maximus ' last .
Gladiator II is go under to carry on the original ’s story years after it was publish , and the subsequence will also take place years after Maximus ' destruction .
Gladiator 2’s Story Doesn’t Really Involve Maximus
He Would Have Distracted From The Plot
In fact , the independent grounds for Russell Crowe ’s absence seizure fromGladiator IIis not how the original story ended , but how this next chapter is set to unfold . The firstGladiatorwas , fundamentally , Maximus ' account . He was front and center of the action throughout , driving the plot forwards with his compelling revenge arc . While other characters played essential supporting roles , it was down to Maximus that the taradiddle succeeded .
By dividing line , Gladiator IIhas made a calculated decision to order Lucius in the spotlight . Although the similarities between the two characters ' stories are ego - evident , the continuation understandably wants to emphasize a new part , moving out from the motivations and electric discharge of the past . Involving Maximus in his process would only muddy up the body of water . Such was his bearing and stature in the first film that he would ineluctably eclipse anynew protagonist inGladiator II . It ’s therefore vital that , in decree to let Lucius expand on his own , Maximus is removedas a likely misdirection .
Russell Crowe Wasn’t Asked About Appearing In Gladiator 2
He Was Never Involved In The Project
Just how important Maximus ' absence as a lineament was to Ridley Scott and screenwriter David Scarpa ’s vision for the narration is demonstrate by the fact that actorRussell Crowe was never require to appear inGladiator II . In an interview withThe Ryan Tubridy Showon RTÉ Radio One , Crowe himself confirmed that there had never been any plans for Maximus to feature , revealing ( viaScreen Rant ):
I ’m sure at some point in time they ’ll want to ask me about something , but they have n’t brought anything up in a while . It ’s an reference of the narrative , but it is foresighted beyond Maximus ’ passing , so it does n’t really ask me at all . I hear that unseasoned feller Paul is a good dandy and I care him the good of destiny with it .
However , just because he is n’t a direct presence in the story , it does n’t mean that Maximus has no influence onGladiator II ’s story . In fact , the dawdler piddle it clear thatMaximus ' legend permeates all aspects ofGladiator II , from Lucius ' remembering of his exploits in the sports stadium to a shrine manifestly built to his memory . This will admit him to be a more elusive influence on the report – something that would have been unimaginable had Russell Crowe himself been directly resolved . As a resolution , Gladiator IIcan move the story onward while still recognize the importance of the past .
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Unlike the first movie , prizefighter 2 features two different Roman emperors . While this might seem strange , its rooted in real historical fact .
Russell Crowe May Have Returned In Gladiator 2’s Original Plans
There Were Some Wild Potential Stories
In hindsight , it ’s easy to see why Scott and Scarpa determine to pursue a story that leave behind Maximus on the sideline . However , while their approach path makes total sense , it was n’t always the preferred choice for theGladiatorsequel . Over the years , many potentialGladiator IIideas were hash out , some of which involved Maximus ' regaining . One peculiarly notorious program , courtesy of instrumentalist Nick Cave , affect a resurrected Maximus being sent on a mission to vote down Jesus Christ and prevent the spreading of Christianity .
Given how outlandish theNick CaveGladiator 2planwas , it was extremely unconvincing that Maximus would ever render in this room . However , his importance to the achiever of the first film also made the idea of aGladiatorsequel without him – to many people , at least – impossible . It ’s a testament to the metier ofGladiator II ’s new story that the franchise can move forwards without its most iconic lineament .
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