(NewsNation) — Russell Crowe is slamming “Gladiator II” for not understanding what made his character in the first movie special.
Crowe, who won an Academy Award for playing Maximus Decimus Meridius, a general-turned-gladiator in 2000’s “Gladiator,” told Triple J that the sequel failed to capture the allure of the first film.
“I think the recent sequel that we don’t have to name out loud is a really unfortunate example of even the people in that engine room not actually understanding what made the first one special,” Crowe said in a clip shared on Triple J’s Instagram page. “It wasn’t the pomp, it wasn’t the circumstance, it wasn’t the action — it was the moral core.”
Russell Crowe protected his character in ‘Gladiator’
He said that while filming “Gladiator,” he worked hard to keep his character a good and honest man.
“There was a daily fight on that set — it was a daily fight to keep that moral core of the character,” he recalled. “The amount of times they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus, it’s like, you’re taking away his power. What are you talking about?”
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 05: Russell Crowe attends the ‘Il Gladiatore In Concerto’ presentation on June 5, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Elisabetta A. Villa/Getty Images) 
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 18: A view of the step-and-repeat during the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator II” at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 18, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Released last year, “Gladiator II” starred Paul Mescal as a young fighter revealed to be the son of Maximus and Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen.
The “A Beautiful Mind” actor said having his character father a child with someone other than his wife tarnished Maximus’ legacy. In “Gladiator,” Maximus fought to avenge the deaths of his wife and son.
“So you’re saying that at the same time [that] he had this relationship with his wife, he was f—— this other girl?” Crowe asked. “What are you talking about? It’s crazy.”