The above scene from Gladiator was a highlight of the Ridley Scott film. But it — or at least part of Russell Crowe’s dialogue — nearly wasn’t included in the film.
You can watch the video clip. Just click the play button at the left of the above feature image.
In a Time article from 2000, a DreamWorks exec said: “You know the big line in the trailer, ‘In this life or the next, I will have my vengeance? At first, he [Crowe] absolutely refused to say it.”
Apparently, much work was done during filming on what was an incomplete script. Nevertheless, Gladiator was a commercial and critical success. It won numerous awards, including five Academy Awards, among them the best actor gong for Crowe.
In a recent interview, Scott said that a Gladiator sequel is in the works that reportedly focuses on Lucius, the son of Connie Nielsen’s character.
Below is the dialogue from the above scene.
Commodus: Rise. Rise.
Maximus stands, clasping an arrowhead in his right hand.
Commodus: Your fame is well deserved, Spaniard. I don’t think there’s ever been a gladiator to match you. As for this young man, he insists you are Hector reborn. Or was it Hercules? Why doesn’t the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name? You do have a name.
Maximus: My name is Gladiator.
Maximus turns his back on Commodus.
Commodus: How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name.
Maximus takes off his helmet and turns to face Commodus.
Maximus: My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the north, general of the Felix Legions, and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
