Russell Crowe opens up about not being asked to return in Gladiator 2. The Australian actor led the 2000 Best Picture-winning historical epic as Maximus Decimus Meridius and won an Academy Award for his performance as the Roman general turned gladiator. After many years in development, a sequel with Ridley Scott returning as director finally started making progress earlier this year with Normal People and Aftersun breakout Paul Mescal cast in the lead role as an adult Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen's Lucilla. However, considering Gladiator's tragic ending and the actor's past comments, Crowe won't be returning in the sequel.
