Russell Crowe played the lead role in Gladiator, but the movie nearly cast a few other notable actors to play Maximus instead. Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic put Crowe in the leading role as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a commander in the Roman Empire, and the actor did not disappoint. He was recognized among Gladiator‘s Oscars wins, as he took home the Academy Award for Best Actor. Although he never returned for a sequel and Gladiator II shifted the focus to Maximus’ son, its still among the most recognized and celebrated of Crowe’s roles.
