The film turns 20 this year Russell Crowe has said he almost turned down his role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, in which he plays Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius.
The actor spoke to Variety on the occasion of the film’s 20th anniversary, explaining his reservations with the script. “I’d read the script and I thought it wasn’t a movie,” Crowe began. “But then Parkes said, ‘It’s 184 A.D., you’re a Roman general, and you’re going to be directed by Ridley Scott.’ And that was enough for me to want to talk to Ridley.” The Roman epic was nominated for 11 Oscars, winning five including Best Actor for Crowe and Best Picture.
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