Gladiator
Film by Ridley Scott · Released May 5, 2000
Gladiator is a 2000 epic action adventure drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson from a story by Franzoni. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne. Reduced to a slave, Maximus becomes a gladiator and rises through the ranks of the arena, determined to avenge the murders of his family and the emperor.
Cast ages when filming began (January 1999)
- Russell Crowe, as Maximus Decimus Meridius: 34
- Joaquin Phoenix, as Commodus: 24
- Connie Nielsen, as Lucilla: 33
- Oliver Reed, as Antonius Proximo: 60
- Djimon Hounsou, as Juba: 34
- Derek Jacobi, as Senator Gracchus: 60
- Tomas Arana, as Quintus: 43
- David Hemmings, as Cassius: 57
- Ralf Moeller, as Hagen: 39–40
- Spencer Treat Clark, as Lucius Verus: 11
- David Schofield, as Senator Falco: 47
- John Shrapnel, as Senator Gaius: 56
- Tommy Flanagan, as Cicero: 33
- Giannina Facio, as Maximus' wife: 43
- Giorgio Cantarini, as Maximus' son: 6
- Omid Djalili, as a slave trader.: 33
- Sven-Ole Thorsen, as Tigris of Gaul: 54