Gladiator began my love affair with film. At 14 years old, I remember reciting Maximus Meridius’s immovable speech on the school bus, lifting my bum with the crescendo of the words, just as Maximus lifted his knee off the dusty colosseum floor.

“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and 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.”

In that moment I wasn’t a 14-year old girl with bad skin, I was a warrior, a gladiator of the arena who valued honour above all else even in life’s dark moments. Would it be foolish to admit this fantasy has still resonates with me at 25? In fact, I’ve probably seen the film more times than I dare to admit. I’m still completely enamored by the beautiful score, epic action scenes, and complicated relationships the film depicts.

Has the film survived the test of time?

When Gladiator was first released in 2000, it was a definite success with the critics; the film landed 12 nominations at the 73rd Academy Awards. It won for Best Picture, Best Actor (Russel Crowe), Best Sound, Art Direction, Visual Effects, and Costume Design. As an investment, it was equally favourable, the film accumulated earnings of $457.6 million from a budget of 103 million.

The conclusion? It was a hit. A heart-pounding roman epic that was popular with both viewers and critics.

However, there has been criticism from some viewers that it hasn’t aged particularly well. Apparently, choreographed arena action with cool feathered hats doesn’t appeal anymore. Or maybe people aren’t used to seeing a baby-faced Joaquin Phoenix? Or it may be that the white male protagonist playing the vengeful hero has become repetitive and dull?

That opinion may be hard to argue with, but it shouldn’t be used as a dismissal for a great film. If we hold the past up to the same standards as the present, we will end up severely disappointed. But despite some modern criticism the film still lives up to its many accolades and the actors have done the same.

Where Are They Now?

After 20 years, it seems Russell Crowe still hasn’t had his fill of historical epics, having been part of Robin Hood, Noah, Les Misérables, 3.10 to Yuma, and more. His past displays a want for dynamic and iconic roles, (his comedic character in The Good Guys has not gone unnoticed). Not many can claim to be both the biblical powerhouse Noah and legendary Robin Hood. Like Margot Robbie (and almost Hugh Jackman) he began his acting career in the television show Neighbours. What are they putting in the set watering hole?

Joaquin Phoenix’s (aka the Gladiator baddie) powerful characterization in the film shows off his incredible acting range. This has been most noted recently in the Oscar-winning film Joker, perhaps the world’s most famous anti-hero. But these are the characters he plays so well, constantly walking the line (get it?) between “good” and “bad”, he blurs the cliche and shows us what a real human is in film.

Connie Nielsen, despite a powerful performance in the film, has not received the same career success as her fellow actors. But she has played roles in major films such as Wonder Women, Justice League, and Nymphomaniac: Vol. I.

Gladiator 2: The Sequel

Ridley Scott is a power-house director, and I dare anyone to challenge this statement. Too threatening? It’s impossible to state the opposite with films such as Alien, Blade Runner, and Thelma and Louise, on his producer hit-list. That’s why it was such an intrigue when I heard rumours of Gladiator 2.

First reaction? Yes please. Second reaction? Dread. Third reaction? Impossible.

The new film was first announced in November 2018, but it seems little information has been leaked since then. What we do know about it is that the plot is intended to focus on Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen’s character Lucilla from Scott’s original film. We should re-meet him as a young adult attempting to make his way in presumably the same chaos he was born into.

One of the producers, Parkes, mentioned, “We’re working with Ridley. That’s one we wouldn’t touch unless we felt in a way to do it was legitimate. We’re working with an amazing writer as well — Peter Craig.”

Peter Craig has worked on projects such as The Town, The Hunger Games, and Bad Boys for Life. A very mixed bag.

We’ll have to wait a see whether the film gets given the green light, or, more importantly, whether the project movers believe they can sell a historical roman epic to a modern audience.