“I Can Make Even Garbage Sound Good.” Russell Crowe Didn't Have a Good Opinion of the Gladiator Script
Russell Crowe spared no criticism towards the Gladiator script. He reportedly didn't even like the iconic line that was memorable to many viewers.
Gladiator is a phenomenal film that is still praised today. Ridley Scott's masterpiece captured the hearts of audiences, while Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix delivered unforgettable performances. The production won 5 Oscars, and was nominated for Academy Awards in 7 more categories, including Best Original Screenplay.
In this regard, it may come as a surprise that one of Gladiator's star, Russell Crowe, criticized the script. The actor reportedly spoke in harsh terms about the lines he later had to say in front of the camera. His frustration stemmed in part from the constant changes in the script that occurred at the hands of the director, writers, producers, as well as the actors.
William Nicholson was given the task of rewriting the script. Two days before the filming of a key scene, he was called in to make changes. The situation reportedly did not please Crowe, who, as Nicholson reported in an interview with the Daily Mail, expressed his own frustration by criticizing the script.
Your lines are garbage, but I’m the greatest actor in the world and I can make even garbage sound good.
Nicholson, despite being so harshly criticized, partially agreed with the actor. While he didn't concede to him that his script was a “garbage,” he agreed that Crowe was a great actor. And the arrogance of the Maximus actor didn't bother him at all.
And the funny thing is that it’s true. Ok, the lines weren’t garbage and he was a bit aggressive, but he is a great actor, so his occasional fits of arrogance didn’t bother me at all.
Probably viewers who have watched Gladiator well remember the iconic line that Maximus uttered when he revealed his identity. The scene in which it is said is one of the most powerful and still evokes strong emotions today. It’s this one:
My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, Loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance – in this life or the next.
According to a DreamWorks executive who spoke to Time, Crowe had a problem with it as well. As he reported, working with the actor was not easy and he tried to rebel when it came to saying the line.
Russell was not well behaved. He tried to rewrite the entire script on the spot. You know the big line in the trailer, “In this life or the next, I will have my vengeance”? At first he absolutely refused to say it.
The director in question revealed that, fortunately, Ridley Scott was the voice of reason on the set, calmly controlling the situation. And Crowe, who was under a lot of stress due to his big role, as well as problems with the script, even though he criticized the lines he was supposed to say, spoke them in front of the camera and tried to do the best he could.