Russell Crowe's Weight Gain To Cost Him 'Gladiator' Sequel Role? Rumors Debunked

Is Russell Crowe going to miss a role in a “Gladiator” sequel because he is gaining too much weight? That’s what a recent rumor about the actor has suggested. The actor’s friends, according to the now-debunked report, are concerned about his health, but this is far from the truth.

A recent rumor about Crowe suggested that the actor has gained a lot of weight and currently weighs about 300 pounds. The actor apparently gained weight in order to play the role of the late Fox News CEO Roger Ailes for the Showtime series “The Loudest Voice in the Room.”

According to Gossip Cop, the recent story about the actor claimed that Crowe’s friends are concerned about his weight gain. The showrunners, according to a source, never asked the actor to put on any weight because the same look can be achieved using prosthetics.

An “insider” reportedly revealed that Crowe’s friends are worried that he is using his upcoming role as an excuse to “pig out.” The actor, according to this source, loves to eat cheeseburgers, pizza and cupcakes. His friends reportedly fear that the actor is “eating himself into the grave.”

The source went on to claim that Paramount Pictures is interested in casting Crowe in an upcoming “Gladiator” sequel. The company’s only condition, claimed the insider, is that he has to lose some weight. His friends reportedly believe that Crowe will not be able to lose weight given his advancing age.

A source close to Crowe has confirmed that the news story is false. The insider said that the actor hasn’t gained “an inordinate amount of weight” and added that there is no truth to the claims about his friends being concerned about his health.

There is a “Gladiator” sequel that is currently in the works, but the story will focus on Lucius. Crowe’s character, Maximus, died in the first film, and there is no confirmation about him reprising his role in the sequel.

USA Today previously confirmed that there is a “Gladiator” sequel currently being developed with Ridley Scott at the helm. Peter Craig, who has worked on movies like “The Hunger Games” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” has been tasked with writing the screenplay. Details about the project and the cast have yet to be officially announced.

A still from “The Loudest Voice in the Room” posted on Entertainment Weekly showed Crowe’s new look that includes a bald head. The show is set to premiere later this year.