Crowe at Taormina says 'Gladiator II' lacks moral core
Russell Crowe isn't thrilled with Gladiator II, saying it just doesn't have the same "moral core" that made the 2000 original a classic.
Speaking at the Taormina Film Festival, he shared how he pushed back while making the original Gladiator against proposed sex scenes involving Maximus and female characters, believing it would take away from the story's real heart: his quest to avenge his family.
Director Ridley Scott agreed and kept the focus on what mattered.
'Gladiator II' earned $462.1 million globally
Crowe pointed out that while Gladiator was about love, strength, and vengeance, stuff everyone could relate to, the sequel failed because they didn't understand why it was successful -- it had a moral core.
Even though Gladiator II brought in approximately $462.1 million globally (just shy of the original's around $465.5 million worldwide), Crowe thinks its lack of a moral core is why it didn't quite live up to its predecessor's legacy.