We can confirm that Russell Crowe does not return as Maximus in Gladiator 2 – at least not in new footage. The sequel's opening credits recap the events of the first movie, rendered in a gorgeous, painted style, while the movie does feature flashbacks that include Maximus as his legacy is a major aspect of the plot.

The actor who played Maximus Decimus Meridius in 2000's 'Gladiator' is set to face the Romans again in a new period film.

The movie’s director, Ridley Scott, spoke to The New York Times before the upcoming release of “Gladiator II” and revealed that the first few days of production didn’t go as planned – mainly because Phoenix was overwhelmed and Crowe believed his behavior was “unprofessional.”

A highly-anticipated sequel to one of the most iconic blockbusters of all time is finally hitting the big screen this week, but will the original film’s star Russell Crowe make an appearance?

Joaquin Phoenix recently made headlines for dropping out of a planned gay romance film with director Todd Haynes at the last minute, but the actor's previous collaborators say that Phoenix has occasionally been finicky even on movies he did complete.

Ridley Scott has revealed that Russell Crowe was left unimpressed by Gladiator co-star Joaquin Phoenix. The filmmaker, who has returned to direct a sequel 24 years after the original was released, shared the revelation ahead of question marks surrounding Phoenix’s professional conduct.

It has been 24 years since Ridley Scott gave the world a glimpse of the Roman Empire in Gladiator. The film over the years has attained cult status and is lauded by one and all.