Russell Crowe says thought of new Gladiator film starring Paul Mescal makes him ‘melancholy’

Mescal is set to play the leading role in Gladiator II which will be released on November 22. It is a follow on story from the film where Crowe was the star when he played Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius.

The original went on to make Crowe a global star and received five Oscar wins, including Best Picture.

As the release of the sequel draws closer, Crowe said he wouldn’t give an actor like Mescal advice but said acting in a film like Gladiator II was an “incredible experience”.

Paul Mescal in training for Gladiator 2

“I would never presume to give an actor of the experience of Paul advice,” Crowe said on RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor Show.

“I think no doubt he’s had a very similar situation to what I experienced in that he stepped into something that is larger than life.

“A Ridley Scott set where he is creating an entire world is an incredible thing to be on and hopefully, he had fun doing it and gave him some satisfaction.”

Crowe said the thought of the filming and release of the Gladiator sequel made him feel “melancholy” especially because it was like a remake of the film he was a part of.

“It’s a long long time ago for me but I absolutely have no problem saying that I'm a little melancholy about it because it definitely means I'm getting old if they’re are remaking something I’ve done,” he said.

“It's not the only one. I’m told they’re remaking a couple of other things I’ve done and it's like, bloody hell, I’m really at that point.

“But I’m sort of quite proud of the fact that it took 25 years to get around to doing it and they obviously think that now they can do it and not sort of negatively affect the reputation of the first one.”

Crowe said he has heard some of the ideas that are being brought to the screenplay which he said will be “fantastic”.

“From the things I’ve heard, there are ideas we had back in the day that we simply couldn’t pull off because the technology wasn’t there, and I’ve heard that they’ve explored a couple of those ideas which is going to be fantastic. Some of those ideas are very exciting,” Crowe said.

Despite the sadness at the thought of the remake, Crowe said Ireland was right to be proud of Mescal.

“I’m just really happy for him as long as he’s enjoyed himself and he’s having fun and Ireland is right to proud of the young fella. He’s doing well. All power to him,” he said.