Russell Crowe’s Maximus nearly appeared in Gladiator 2 through a flashback sequence. In a recent interview, writer Peter Craig revealed an early draft featuring the character. Although filmmakers cut the scene, fans continue to discuss Crowe’s return and past attempts to revive Maximus.

Russell Crowe’s Maximus almost had a flashback in Gladiator 2

While speaking with The Direct, writer Peter Craig revealed that an early draft of Gladiator 2 included Russell Crowe’s Maximus. He said, “There was a draft I had where I—So there was an idea that the Romans had that you could talk to your ancestors, and they have these underground catacombs where people’s urns and ashes and bones were all buried beneath the city.”

Craig described the scene, stating, “There had been a scene where once Lucius finds out that it’s his father, he goes down there and he finds his grave. And there was just going to be a really brief flashback with Russell.”

He added, “I think they probably made the right decision not using it,” confirming that the filmmakers ultimately removed the scene. He elaborated on the development process, explaining, “But I was on that with Ridley [Scott] for a while, I actually left to do this show. And they, I sort of gave them a big menu of stuff, and they selected some things from it, and I think they left a lot of the right stuff off of it.”

Filmmakers repeatedly tried to bring Crowe back for a Gladiator sequel. In the early 2000s, musician Nick Cave wrote a script where Maximus traveled through the afterlife to kill Hephaestus and earn a place in Elysium.

Ridley Scott also envisioned Maximus returning as a dying warrior’s spirit, but Crowe refused. Though he filmed no new scenes for Gladiator 2, the film honors Maximus through his armor, sword, and influence on Lucius’ journey.