Actor Russell Crowe has surprised fans with his muscular physique during a workout session with Scottish wrestler Drew McIntyre. Photos shared by McIntyre showed the two men displaying prominent biceps, with Crowe, 62, drawing comparisons to his iconic role as Roman general Maximus in the 2000 film "Gladiator."
McIntyre captioned the images "Gladiator x Warrior," highlighting the meeting of the two figures. The pair are reportedly set to appear together in the upcoming "Highlander" reboot.
Crowe, who recently sported a full grey beard, appeared in strong form, echoing the warrior spirit of his "Gladiator" character. The actor's physical transformation for the role of Maximus involved significant dedication. In a 2020 interview with Variety, Crowe admitted he was initially hesitant to accept the Oscar-winning part.
At the time, Crowe had gained 23 kilograms for his role in the 1999 drama "The Insider" and had shaved his head, making him feel ill-suited for a Roman general. "I was just coming off the shoot of The Insider. I was gigantic," he told the magazine. "I had no hair because I had been wearing a wig on that movie, so I had shaved my head to make it more comfortable and the wigs go on quicker. I didn't look like any Roman general."
However, the involvement of director Ridley Scott ultimately convinced Crowe to take the role. He recalled reading the script and initially not seeing it as a viable movie, but producer Walter Parkes' mention of Scott's direction was enough incentive. "And that was enough for me to want to talk to Ridley," Crowe said.
Crowe went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001 for his portrayal of Maximus, a role that significantly boosted his stardom. The actor was previously married to Danielle Spencer, with whom he has two sons. The couple divorced in 2018, though Spencer has described their relationship post-divorce as amicable, stating they remain friends and consider each other family.