That’s a lot of Oscar history happening in the span of two years, a Jenga tower of cause and effect that would topple if even one block got removed. Like, for example, if Russell Crowe never won that Best Actor Oscar for Gladiator, a development that would alter the course of Oscars history, Hollywood history — heck, even American history.

In a recent discussion, acclaimed director Ridley Scott revealed that Russell Crowe was extremely enthusiastic about reprising his role of General Maximus in Gladiator 2. The actor, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001 for his role in Gladiator,

According to helmer Ridley Scott, 'Gladiator' star Russell Crowe initially wanted to reincarnate his character of Maximus in a proposed sequel.

It was an open secret and, with the release of 'Gladiator II', it became clear that Russell Crowe was not going to return as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a role he played in the origi

In a recent discussion, acclaimed director Ridley Scott revealed that Russell Crowe was extremely enthusiastic about reprising his role of General Maximus in Gladiator 2. The actor, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001 for his role in Gladiator,

Even though Russell Crowe is not in Gladiator 2, director Ridley Scott has revealed that Crowe originally wanted to reprise his role, even if it meant bringing him back from the dead.

Crowe won a Best Actor Oscar for playing the character of Maximus, who dies at the end of the 2000 original Russell Crowe doesn't return to the Colosseum in the long anticipated sequel to Gladiator — but it wasn't for a lack of trying.