Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe really set the bar incredibly high to be replicated, according to this original Gladiator actor.
Gladiator – The time to honor yourself is almost over…"Highness" !
The 2000 film Gladiator was one of the most epic masterpieces ever made, delivering the ultimate cinematic experience that could never be replicated in any other film. In fact, even actress Connie Nielsen, who played the iconic Lucilla in the original film and would return in the sequel, couldn't help but acknowledge how irreplaceable that action/adventure piece is.
According to Nielsen from his experience working on the film, leads Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix left no stone unturned during their time as Maximus and Commodus, respectively. If anything, Nielsen thinks their portrayal combined with sheer determination is proof that recreating the 2000 hit would indeed be an incredibly tough task!
When Gladiator was released in 2000, Crowe was seen stepping in as Maximus Decimus Meridius, the celebrated Roman general, and Phoenix was seen portraying the son of the late emperor Marcus Aurelius, Commodus. To this cast came Connie Nielsen, who played Lucilla – Commodus' lovely sister and Maximus' former lover.
