For all the chatter around Russell Crowe making a potential Gladiator 2 cameo, it just isn't a good idea. Crowe was on his way to becoming a major star before Gladiator, but this historical epic from director Ridley Scott sealed the deal. It was the rare blockbuster that had all the action and spectacle audiences could want, but with a great story and characters too. Gladiator ended with the death of Crowe's Maximus, though he succeeded in his aim to avenge his family. The film wasn't designed to spawn a franchise, but its acclaim and success kicked off a 20-year quest to make one.

The big problem with Gladiator 2 is that it ended on a perfect note for Maximus, and he's very, VERY dead by the time the credits roll. Bringing Maximus back was the big sticking point with the sequel's development, with all kinds of wild notions about how to resurrect him being pitched, including Nick Cave's infamous Gladiator 2: Christ Killer screenplay. It appears Gladiator 2 is finally happening, with rising star Paul Mescal set to lead it as Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen's Lucilla and nephew of former villain Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Crowe has indicated he won't be involved with Gladiator 2 - which is for the best.

Related: How Maximus Returns In Gladiator 2: Every Theory (& What Scott's Revealed)

Gladiator 2 Forcing a Maximus Cameo Would Be Embarrassing

Russell Crowe bloody as Maximus in Gladiator.

It seems the only way Gladiator 2 was able to make progress in development was by letting go of the idea of bringing "The Spaniard" Maximus back. Focusing on Lucius and the changing face of the Roman empire was also a natural route for the story to follow. However, one thing Gladiator 2 doesn't need to force is a Maximus cameo of some sort. The only real options from a storytelling perspective are either a dream sequence or flashback, but there's little to be gained from either.

Russell Crowe's Maximus would also need to be de-aged to resemble his 2000-era appearance too, which would be another distraction. While Scott's Prometheus approach was divisive with Alien fans for its lack of lines to that series, it was a more dignified approach than Alien: Covenant's parade of easter eggs. The only thing a Maximus Gladiator 2 appearance would achieve is being a piece of fan service that could be used in marketing. If the follow-up wants to be its own thing, it needs to let the character go.

Gladiator 2 Can Still Honor Maximus' Legacy

Gladiator Thumbs up meaning

Just because Russell Crowe doesn't physically appear, that doesn't mean Maximus' spirit can't be honored. After all, legends of his battles - being a general who became a slave, then a gladiator and then killing an emperor in battle - would surely have spread around Rome. It could even reuse a rumored sequel story point about Paul Mescal's Lucius being the secret son of Maximus - though that's a little bit of a stretch. The shadow of Maximus and his legacy can hang over Gladiator 2, but the character doesn't need to turn up to achieve that aim.

Next: Russell Crowe's Maximus Only Has 1 Way To Return In Gladiator 2