Russell Crowe Reveals He's 'Slightly Jealous' About 'Gladiator 2' For THIS Reason

Actor Russell Crowe has spoken up about the upcoming sequel to his blockbuster film "Gladiator."

Crowe played Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the epic historical film and has admitted to being "slightly jealous" of the upcoming sequel.

The "Robbin Hood" star revealed that he would not be involved in the film, but also expressed his support for Paul Mescal, who has been cast in the lead role.

Read on for more details.

Crowe, 59, expressed his mild bitterness over the upcoming release of the Ridley Scott film "Gladiator 2" in a recent interview with Collider. The movie is the follow-up to the hugely successful 2000 film that won Crowe an Oscar for Best Actor.

In the interview with the news outlet, Crowe was asked about the next installment of the film and what he would like to see in it.

"I don't know where they're going with it," he said. "I'm sure that [there have] been things on [Scott's] mind for the last 24 years that he thinks he can probably do better or something. I think that's one of the positives about it, that it's Ridley because he will want to go back into that world and create something [on] the same level of spectacle as the first one."

He continued, "I mean, look, the only thing I feel about it is slightly jealous, you know? Because I was a much younger man, it was a huge experience in my life. It's something that changed my life." 

Crowe noted that the film changed how people regarded him and what he did for a living. He added, "...I've been fortunate to be involved in many big movies, but the legs on that film are incredible. Here it is; it's 2023, and we made that film in 1999.

"I guarantee you, somewhere around the world tonight, 'Gladiator' will be showing on primetime TV. And you don't always get that kind of longevity with every film you do, so it holds a special place in my heart," the Actor concluded.

While appearing on "The Ryan Turbidy Show," Crowe divulged that he wasn't part of the set working on "Gladiator 2." Paul Mescal of "Normal People" fame will star in the film, scheduled for release in late November 2024.

Per Variety, Since Crowe's character, Maximus, died at the end of the original movie, Mescal, 27, will play Lucius, the son of Maximus' lover Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen), in the sequel.

Crowe has noted that he's not starring in the sequel and shared that he wishes Mescal the "best of luck."

"I think where they're picking the story up from, a young Lucius, stepping into the role of Emperor. I think that's a brilliant idea within the world of the film we created," he stated.

The "American Gangster" actor has reportedly been rumored to co-star with Mescal in an unnamed role.

Washington's inclusion in the sequel would allow him to reunite with director Ridley Scott some 16 years after they collaborated on "American Gangster," which received positive reviews and grossed $266 million worldwide.

According to Deadline, Scott and Paramount executives heavily briefed Washington on the project because the unnamed role was written with him in mind.

According to TMZ, Crowe said he would not consider playing the role of former President Trump any time soon.

The Actor revealed during an interview that he discussed his lead role in the film "The Pope's Exorcist."

Somewhere down the interview, the host mentioned that Trump was the story of the day and quizzed the Actor if he would ever play the former president in a movie.

"I'm swamped now. I've got lots, lots, and lots of things to do," Crowe said, shutting down the idea of him ever playing the disgraced former president.