Russell Crowe has strongly criticized "Gladiator II," asserting that the sequel betrays the moral core of the original 2000 film and the integrity of his character, Maximus Decimus Meridius.Crowe, an Oscar winner for the role, highlighted in a Triple J interview his dismay over a plot point suggesting Maximus had an illegitimate child, which he felt contradicted the character's devotion to his family.Despite Crowe's disapproval, "Gladiator II," starring Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington, achieved $462 million worldwide, though it only received one Oscar nomination compared to the original's five wins, including Best Picture.