Russell Crowe Says ‘They Should Be F*cking Paying Me’ for Constant Questions About ‘Gladiator 2'

Russell Crowe has made it clear that he doesn't want to answer any questions about the upcoming Gladiator sequel, especially because he's not even in it.

During an interview at a press conference for the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, the Oscar Award winner admitted how annoying it is to be constantly asked about the upcoming Gladiator sequel Variety reports.

"They should be fucking paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in," Crowe said. "It has nothing to do with me. In that world, I am dead. Six feet under. But I do admit to a certain tinge of jealousy, because it reminds me of when I was younger and what it meant for me, in my life."

The first Gladiator was released in May 2000, when Russell Crowe was only 36 years old.

"I don't know anything about the cast, I don't know anything about the plot," he added. "I am dead! But I know that if Ridley has decided to do a second part of the story, over 20 years later, he must have had very strong reasons. I can't think of this movie being anything other than spectacular."

The upcoming sequel, directed by Ridley Scott, takes place 20 years after the first film, with Paul Mescal starring as a rising member of the Roman ruling class.

During another interview with RTÉ Radio One's The Ryan Tubridy Show, Crowe revealed Scott hadn't brought anything up to him about the sequel.

"I'm sure at some point in time they'll want to ask me about something, but they haven't brought anything up in a while," Crowe said. "It's an extension of the narrative, but it is long beyond Maximus' passing, so it doesn't really involve me at all. I hear that young fella Paul is a good dude and I wish him the best of luck with it. I think where they're picking the story up from, a young Lucius, stepping into the role of emperor. I think that's a very smart idea within the world of the film that we created."