Did you know that Russell Crowe almost walked away from one of his most iconic roles in Gladiator, due to a bizarre original script? Today, we're diving into this fascinating story and the journey from a peculiar concept to a blockbuster film. So grab your popcorn, and let's get started!
Today, we're chatting about how Russell Crowe almost said "adios" to Ridley Scott's 2000 historical epic Gladiator. This Oscar-winning movie, which raked in a whopping $503 million worldwide, had a rather strange start, according to Crowe's recent interview with Vanity Fair.
Despite his confidence as a leading man, Crowe felt uneasy about the world surrounding him in Gladiator. The original script was, in his words, "absolute rubbish," featuring peculiar sequences like gladiators promoting olive oil on their chariots! Although based on real historical endorsements, Crowe knew that modern audiences would be left scratching their heads.
But thanks to ongoing conversations with Ridley Scott, Crowe stayed on board. Scott promised that nothing would be filmed without Crowe's 100% belief in it. By the time they started filming, they only had 21 pages of an agreed-upon script, which typically spans around 100-110 pages. So they had quite the journey ahead, making up the story as they went along.
Fast forward to today, and Gladiator is considered a classic. Ridley Scott is now preparing to direct the long-awaited sequel with Paul Mescal taking over the franchise, playing Lucius, the son of Lucilla. Crowe, though a bit envious, remains grateful for his life-changing experience with the original film.
So there you have it, folks – the incredible story of how Gladiator went from a potential disaster to a box office sensation. Who knew that chariots with olive oil ads would've been a deal-breaker? If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes tale, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more movie magic.
And remember, sometimes a leap of faith can lead to greatness.
