Russell Crowe Giving ‘One Big Cold Shoulder’ to ‘Gladiator II’ Team: The Actor ‘Feels Left Out’

Russell Crowe has nothing nice to say about the Gladiator franchise these days, as evidenced by his recent interviews – and a source exclusively tells In Touch he’s taken a real dislike to his replacement, Paul Mescal, as well as his old buddy Denzel Washington, who’s costarring in the upcoming Ridley Scott sequel. 

“It was probably naïve of the Gladiator II team to charge ahead with the movie and just keep their fingers crossed that Russell would be magnanimous and give the project his unambiguous blessing,” the source says. 

The Robin Hood star, 60, sat down for an interview with “Kyle Meredith With…” in June and gave his thoughts on the upcoming project, saying “I’m slightly uncomfortable, the fact that they’re making another one, you know?” 

“Because of course, I’m dead,” the actor said of his character, who died in a famous duel with Joaquin Phoenix‘s Commodus at the end of the first film. While Russell publicly opines on his discomfort with the upcoming sequel, many attached to the current project don’t feel his criticisms are justified.

“Their perspective was that the first movie made Russell a global superstar and won him his Oscar, and gratitude for that should have carried over to the sequel.” the source explains.

“He could have joined the bandwagon and even shared some of the credit if the movie works. But clearly Russell feels left out and these passive aggressive quotes he’s been giving are not helping anybody and even making enemies out of his former friends like Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington, who has a pivotal role in the sequel and really put his heart and soul into the movie.” 

When asked if he would consult the Oscar-winning actor on the newest installment of the Gladiator franchise, director Ridley, 86, told Empire magazine on August 28, “I think [Russell is] still one of the best actors in the world, and I think we have a good relationship. I hope we do. As long as he doesn’t start bitching about how he wasn’t consulted. Why would I? He’s dead!”

While Russell agrees he has “no say in what gets done,” the actor has noted that, “a couple of things that I’ve heard, I’m like, ‘No, no, no. That’s not in the moral journey of that particular character.’ But you know, I can’t say anything. That’s not my place. I’m six feet under.”

While Ridley and his Kiwi muse go way back, the newcomer on the scene, Paul Mescal, 28, has big shoes to fill without Russell’s guidance.

“The new star of the series, Paul Mescal, is probably in the worst spot because it would have been great for him to get Russell’s blessing, since he plays Russell’s character’s grown son in the film, but Paul has such a giant ego that he can’t afford to show for a second that Russell’s lack of endorsement is bothering him,” the source says.

“Russell has given this film one giant cold shoulder because not that long ago, there were plans for a version of Gladiator II that would have starred Russell and resurrected his character Maximus, but as Russell seemed to age out of vigorous action roles, those plans changed.”

“Russell’s behavior could be a lot more gracious, no matter how crestfallen he is about losing his grip on this film series.”