Russell Crowe Reveals Bible Storyline Cut From 'Gladiator 2'

Russell Crowe has revealed that there was a Bible-inspired storyline initially intended for "Gladiator 2" but it was later cut from the long-awaited sequel. The actor, who played Maximus in the original "Gladiator," said in an interview with Screen Rant how producer Doug Wick envisioned a scene that was reminiscent of the story of Jesus' resurrection, but it was axed from the plot.

"I haven't talked to Doug in a long, long time," Crowe told the outlet. "Last time I talked to Doug, he said he had this great idea where Maximus gets carried from the stadium and they pull back this big rock and he gets put into this cave and then the rock closes over and he's anointed with oils. And then the rock opens up and he comes out. And I said, 'Doug, I don't think we have the rights to that story.' But that was a long, long time ago and I don't think he appreciated my sense of humor at the time."

For years there have been rumors of a sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 blockbuster, and Crowe recently revealed that the possibility is still there.

"I can tell you those conversations have been going on since the last day of shooting the last one," the 56-year-old star told E! Online. "And there's been a lot of different ideas of approaching things."

Co-star Connie Nielsen also dropped hints of a possible follow-up to "Gladiator."

"So, we did hear from the producers. I think it's just a question of which film is coming first in Ridley's very tight schedule," she said earlier this year, according to Entertainment Weekly. "And then I think it's a question of COVID and can we get back to work. But I would be interested in doing [the film], for sure. I mean, it's obviously a wonderful project, so of course I would be interested."

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