Russell Crowe wanted his Gladiator character to come back from the dead so he could star in a sequel.Director Ridley Scott previously got together with the actor to discuss plans for a follow up to the 2000 movie and hes now revealedCrowe wanted to find a way to bring back Maximus even though he died at the end of the first film.Scott told People: Russell and I had a go at it [planning Gladiator II] around 18 years ago. I had Nick Cave writing the script and I kept saying [to Russell], But you're dead. And he said, I know Im dead. And I want to come back from the dead.Scott explained he tried out an idea in which Maximus could come back from the dead via a portal which allowed his spirit to be reincarnated but Crowe turned the idea down because it would require another actor in the lead role.The moviemaker explained: [We tried the idea of] a portal to bring him back from the dead. The only way of doing it was to go to another battle and through a dying warrior, he comes back into the spirit of the warrior. So thats his portal ...[Crowe] said: So that's no fing good, is it?DreamWorksDreamWorksloading...READ MORE: 20 Movie Sequels You Forgot ExistedScott's long-awaited sequel hit cinemas this month and doesnt feature Crowe. The story revolves around Maximus son Lucius played by Paul Mescal who is enslaved and becomes a gladiator just like his father in the first film.Crowe previously admitted he feels slightly jealous of the cast of the new film as hes not involved. He told Collider : I was a much younger man, obviously, and it was a huge experience in my life ... [It still] holds a special place in my heart.Get our free mobile appThe Coolest Opening Title Sequences of All TimeWhere have all the opening credits gone?(Note: Click the link in each entry to watch these opening titles on YouTube.)Filed Under: Gladiator, Gladiator 2, Ridley Scott, Russell CroweCategories: Movie News