THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'Gladiator' 24 years later

  • "Gladiator" opened in theaters in 2000.

  • It became a box office sensation and won the best picture Oscar. Russell Crowe also won the best actor Oscar.

  • "Gladiator II," starring Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, is now in theaters.

Ridley Scott's 2000 historical film "Gladiator" set the stage for its sequel to continue to captivate the box office today.

The original film follows Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of the emperor, who kills Meridius' wife and child. Relegated to slavery, Meridius becomes a gladiator to seek his revenge.

The movie was one of the highest-grossing of 2000, taking in over $460 million worldwide and earning Crowe a best actor Oscar and a best picture win.

Twenty-four years after the movie's release, the sequel, "Gladiator II," starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, is in theaters. On opening weekend, it hit $55.5 million in ticket sales and more than $1000 million worldwide.

Here, we look back on the cast from the original movie and where they are now.

Russell Crowe played the movie's lead, Maximus Decimus Meridius.

Gladiator Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe in "Gladiator."DreamWorks Pictures

Maximus Decimus Meridius was the lead character in "Gladiator." At the movie's start, he's the general of a dominant army for the Roman empire and emperor Marcus Aurelius' successor to his throne. After Aurelius is murdered by his son, Commodus, Meridius is thrown into slavery, and his family is murdered. Meridius seeks out his revenge as a gladiator.

Crowe went on to become one of the biggest stars of the 2000s.

Russell Crowe in a brown jacket
Russell Crowe.Poll Insabato Rovaris/Mondadori/Getty

Crowe won the best actor Oscar for his performance as Maximus.

From there, the New Zealand-born actor would become one of the biggest movie stars of the 2000s, starring in acclaimed titles like "A Beautiful Mind," "Cinderella Man," and "American Gangster."

In June, Crowe appeared on the podcast Kyle Meredith With... and discussed his movie's sequel, "Gladiator II."

"I'm slightly uncomfortable with the fact they're making another one — because, of course, I'm dead, and I have no say in what gets done," Crowe said, referring to his Maximus character dying at the end of the first movie.

"But a couple of the things I've heard, I'm like — no, no, no, that's not in the moral journey of that particular character, but I can't say anything. It's not my place; I'm six foot under. So we'll see what that is like."

Joaquin Phoenix played the villain Commodus.

gladiator joaquin phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix in "Gladiator."screengrab via Gladiator

Commodus is the main villain in "Gladiator." He kills his father, Marcus Aurelius, after learning that he has decided to make Maximus Decimus Meridius his successor to the throne. He then takes full power of the Roman Empire.

Phoenix forged a successful acting career and scored an Oscar for 2019's "Joker."

Joaquin Phoenix in sunglasses and suit
Joaquin Phoenix.Jesse Grant/Getty Images

Joaquin Phoenix received a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for "Gladiator."

Since the movie, Phoenix has forged a career filled with acclaimed work that often showcases his attraction to daring and challenging roles.

After starring in M. Night Shyamalan's blockbusters "Signs" and "The Village" and receiving a best actor Oscar nomination for the 2006 Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," Phoenix focused more on unique projects during the 2010s.

Phoenix was Oscar-nominated for his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 drama "The Master." He also found acclaim for playing a lonely guy who falls in love with an operating system in 2013's "Her."

Phoenix would win an Oscar for the 2019 movie "Joker," in which he played the beloved DC Comics villain in a movie that gave the comic book genre a more dramatic feel. The movie would become one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time. It'd later be beaten by 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Since then, Phoenix's received praise for performances in indie films like "C'mon C'mon" and "Beau Is Afraid." However, he got mixed reactions for playing Napoleon Bonaparte in "Gladiator" director Ridley Scott's biopic on the French military commander, "Napoleon," and the "Joker" sequel, "Joker: Folie à Deux," which was a box office bust.

Connie Nielsen played Commodus' sister, Lucilla.

Connie Nielsen dressed as a roman empress
Connie Nielsen in "Gladiator."DreamWorks

She is Marcus Aurelius' oldest child. Throughout the movie, she fights off the incestuous advances of her brother, Commodus. She is also the mother of Lucius.

Nielsen is one of the few original actors who returned for the sequel.

Connie Nielsen in a grew suit
Connie Nielsen.John Nacion/Getty

At that point in her career, "Gladiator" was the biggest hit the Danish actor had starred in.

She went on to star in the 2002 thriller "One Hour Photo" opposite Robin Williams and the 2013 Lars von Trier erotic drama "Nymphomaniac."

In 2017, she landed a role in another box office hit by playing Queen Hippolyta in "Wonder Woman." Later that year, she would reprise the role in "Justice League" and 2020's "Wonder Woman 1984."

She returns as Lucilla in "Gladiator II."

Oliver Reed played gladiator trainer Antonius Proximo.

Oliver Reed, Gladiator
Oliver Reed in "Gladiator."YouTube screencap

The gruff gladiator trainer buys Meridius and turns him into a gladiator worthy of fighting in Rome.

Reed died while filming "Gladiator."

Oliver Reed wearing glasses and smiling
Oliver Reed.Tom Smith/Daily Express/Mirrorpix/Getty

Reed was one of the most acclaimed actors of his era. He was known for playing macho roles in movies from the 1960s and 1970s, such as "Oliver!" "The Three Musketeers," and "Tommy."

Reed died in 1999 while filming "Gladiator." Known for his heavy drinking, his hard-partying reputation led to his passing.

During a break from filming in Malta, Reed encountered officers from the Royal Navy on shore leave at a bar who challenged the actor to a drinking contest.

"He dropped down dead in the floor of a pub," Scott told Variety in 2020 for an oral history of the movie. "He probably had a couple of pints and said, 'I don't feel good,' laid on the carpet and died."

According to the Variety oral history, Reed had promised Scott he wouldn't drink while shooting, leading to the 61-year-old actor drinking on the weekends.

His official cause of death was a heart attack.

Djimon Hounsou played Meridius' friend, Jaba.

Russell Crowe and Djimon Hounsou with swords
(L-R) Russell Crowe and Djimon Hounsou in "Gladiator."DreamWorks

Jaba is the gladiator who befriends Meridius.

Hounsou has been working consistently since "Gladiator."

Djimon Hounsou
Djimon Hounsou.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Three years before "Gladiator" opened in theaters, Hounsou landed his big break when Steven Spielberg cast him as the lead in his 1997 drama "Amistad."

Following the success of "Gladiator," Hounsou continued to land steady work, highlighted by costarring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2006 thriller "Blood Diamond," for which he received an Oscar nomination.

Since then, he's played Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was The Wizard in "Black Adam" and the "Shazam!' movies, and most recently starred in Netflix's "Rebel Moon" movies as General Titus.

Richard Harris played the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Richard Harris wearing a blue hood
Richard Harris in "Gladiator."DreamWorks

The Roman emperor whose decision to make Meridius his successor leads to his power-hungry son killing him.

The legendary actor went on to play Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" movies.

Richard Harris standing by a curtain
Richard Harris.Peter Power/Toronto Star/Getty

Like Reed, Richard Harris was a legend on the screen.

The Irish actor was a star from the late 1960s through the 1980s. He played various roles, from King Arthur in the 1967 musical "Camelot" to an English aristocrat in the 1970s Western "A Man Called Horse." Harris' talents made him not just a box office draw but a beloved actor of critics.

Along with receiving two Oscar nominations over his career (1963's "The Sporting Life" and 1990's "The Field"), Harris also won a Grammy in 1968 for his rendition of "MacArthur Park."

For many, he's best known for the role he took a year after "Gladiator." He played Professor Albus Dumbledore in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

The latter would mark his final role before his 2002 death. Michael Gambon would take over the role in the acclaimed series.

Ralf Moeller played the intimidating gladiator Hagen.

gladiator
(L-R) Ralf Moeller, Russell Crowe, and Djimon Hounsou in "Gladiator."IMDB / Dreamworks

Proximo's chief gladiator who befriends Meridius and Jaba.

"Gladiator" marked a career-high for Moeller.

Ralf Moeller in a blue jacket
Ralf Moeller.Tristar Media/WireImage/Getty

Moeller began bodybuilding at 17 and was the German national champion in 1984.

He turned to acting four years later and quickly found work in Jean-Claude Van Damme's action movies "Cyborg" and "Universal Soldier."

Moeller would follow "Gladiator" by starring opposite Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in 2002's "The Scorpion King."

Since then he's starred in a bevy of B-level action movies.

Tommy Flanagan played Meridius' loyal servant, Cicero.

Tommy Flanagan in a crowd
Tommy Flanagan in "Gladiator."DreamWorks

The loyal servant of Meridius is killed while trying to help him.

Flanagan is usually cast in tough guy roles.

Tommy Flanagan in a dark suit
Tommy Flanagan.Albert L. Ortega/Getty

This Scottish actor often gets cast in tough guy roles due to the scars on his face, the result of a knife fight he got into while working as a DJ before his acting career took off.

His first movie role was in Mel Gibson's 1995 epic "Braveheart." He also starred in "Face/Off" and "The Game" before landing the Cicero role in "Gladiator."

Since then, he's starred in "Sin City," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," but is most remembered for playing Filip "Chibs" Telford on the hit FX series "Sons of Anarchy."

Tomas Arana plays Quintus, the commander who turns on Meridius.

Tomas Arana in Roman battle gear
Tomas Arana in "Gladiator."DreamWorks

A Roman army commander who betrays Meridius (though comes around to be back on his side at the movie's end).

Arana has always had a knack for playing the bad guy.

Tomas Arana in a dark t-shirt
Tomas Arana.Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage/Getty

Arana has made a career of playing the bad guy onscreen.

From "The Hunt for Red October" to "The Bodyguard," that dastardly stare has made him perfect for the villain role.

Since "Gladiator," he's starred in smaller roles in "The Bourne Supremacy," "The Dark Knight Rises," and "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Derek Jacobi plays Gracchus, the Roman senator who tries to help Meridius.

Derek Jacobi as a roman senator
Derek Jacobi in "Gladiator."DreamWorks

The Roman senator opposes Commodus' rule and tries to free Meridius from slavery.

Jacobi has been a fixture in period movies for years.

Derek Jacobi in a tuxedo
Derek Jacobi.Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty

Jacobi has an esteemed career on the stage and screen, leading to him receiving two Emmys, a Tony, and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in 1994.

Since "Gladiator," he's been one of the go-to British actors whenever Hollywood produces period movies, starring in "Gosford Park" to "The King's Speech."

He reprises his role in "Gladiator II."

Spencer Treat Clark plays Lucilla's son, Lucius.

Spencer Treat Clark in roman wear
Spencer Treat Clark in "Gladiator."DreamWorks

Lucius, the son of Lucilla, idolizes Meridius.

Clark is being a good sport about Mescal being cast as Lucius in "Gladiator II."

Spencer Treat Clark in a grey shirt
Spencer Treat Clark.Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

The year 2000 was a breakout one for Clark. The same year he played Lucius opposite Russell Crowe in "Gladiator," he was also seen alongside Bruce Willis as his onscreen son in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller "Unbreakable."

Since then, he's starred in TV shows such as "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D," "Animal Kingdom," and "Manhunt." He also returned for the "Unbreakable" sequel, 2019's "Glass."

When word about a "Gladiator" sequel came out, which focused on the Lucius character now all grown up, some online questioned why Mescal was taking over the role and not Clark.

Scott addressed the recasting in a 2023 interview with Deadline on why Mescal, who became a hot commodity in Hollywood after starring in the 2020 series "Normal People," was right for the Lucius role.

"I'm always looking for someone, something new and fresh," he told the trade. "I mean, fresh is terribly important. So they're not carrying … baggage is a terrible word for what they've done before because it's great stuff, but you will remember he just did this character already."

Clark, who is now 37, is taking all this in stride. In an interview with People in October, he fully supported Mescal.

"The movie looks so good, and Paul's going to do such a great job," he said. "I've actually heard great things about the movie."

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