Was Gladiator's Maximus A Real Person? Historical Influences Explained
While Gladiator is a historical film, the main character Maximus is fictional. Here's which Roman figures inspired & influenced the iconic character.
Ridley Scott's historical epic Gladiator stars Russell Crowe as Maximus, a Roman general who is betrayed after the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Pressed into slavery, Maximus is forced to fight in the Coliseum for the entertainment of the cruel new emperor, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Rising to the challenge and inspiring the slaves, Maximus fights to undermine Commodus's unjust rule.
While Gladiator is a historical film, the main character Maximus is fictional. Here's which Roman figures inspired & influenced the iconic character.
A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.
Early footage of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 has been shown to studio executives, and a new report summarizes what their reactions were like.
Russel Crowe’s importance for the original movie goes beyond his role as Maximus, which makes his absence in Gladiator 2 bigger a problem.
Paul Mescal will take over for Russell Crowe as the lead of the Gladiator franchise, which should help him break a personal box office record.
Gladiator 2 star confirms filming has wrapped for the highly-anticipated sequel, celebrating the achievement with the renowned director Ridley Scott.
A recent update on Gladiator 2 reveals that Lucius’ story will be just like Maximus’ in the first Gladiator film, which is a big risk for the sequel.
Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator was initially pitched to Steven Spielberg, who gave original screenwriter David Franzoni three crucial conditions.
One star who played a prominent role in the original Gladiator alongside Russell Crowe confirms he won’t be returning for Ridley Scott’s sequel.
Director Ridley Scott details the original wild plan for Gladiator 2, which would have brought back Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius.
Gladiator 2 sets a date to resume filming the movie after Ridley Scott's sequel was put on hold due to the dual strikes, which have been resolved.
Despite the excitement around Paul Mescal being the lead actor in Gladiator 2, Denzel Washington’s character will compensate for Maximus’ absence.
Ridley Scott reveals more details about Paul Mescal’s Lucius in Gladiator 2 and what has happened in the years since the events of the first movie.
Ridley Scott details the role being played by Denzel Washington in his upcoming Gladiator 2, offering clues as to how he fits into the story.
Director Ridley Scott explains how the most iconic shot from his 2000 epic, Gladiator, was a last-minute addition that was never in the script.
Gladiator director Ridley Scott offers his hot take on Joaquin Phoenix's villain Commodus, 23 years after the epic movie was first released.
Gladiator 2 receives a crucial update from director Ridley Scott now that the SAG-AFTRA strike is finally over and the sequel can continue filming.
Director Ridley Scott teases one fight scene that is to come in Gladiator 2, revealing that star Paul Mescal will do battle with a pack of baboons.
The Gladiator historical accuracy debate has waged since it was released, but there are several surprising things it gets right (and wrong).
From "Are you not entertained!?" to "I will have my vengeance" the best Gladiator quotes make up some of movie history's most famous lines.
Gladiator is a beloved piece of cinema even 23 years later, but there are a few harsh realities that its fans must overlook upon a rewatch.
One incredible battle scene in Ridley Scott's original Gladiator film was initially set to feature a completely different kind of threatening beast.