Film & Media · Taormina
Russell Crowe at Taormina Film Fest: 'I was crazy on Gladiator set,' praises Italian singer Ultimo
Russell Crowe received a lifetime achievement award at the Taormina Film Festival, where he discussed his intense Gladiator shoot, revealed pressure from Hollywood to add a sex scene, and praised Italian singer-songwriter Ultimo.
AI text based on reports by Rai news, AGI, Corriere della Sera and other publishers. Published . How it is made
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In brief
Russell Crowe received a career achievement prize at the Taormina Film Festival and delivered a speech partly in Italian, quoting Ultimo’s lyrics to inspire young artists.
Crowe said he was hit in the face with an axe on the first day of shooting and performed every scene himself, against the advice of older actors. He now admits regret due to lasting tendon damage.
Hollywood executives pressed for a sex scene in Gladiator. Crowe refused, saying it would erase the film’s moral core of redemption, which he credits for its enduring television audience.
Crowe stated the sequel did not meet box office expectations because the producers did not understand the moral heart of the first film.
Crowe called himself a huge fan of Ultimo and his album ‘Solo’. Learning that Ultimo supports Roma, Crowe, a Lazio fan, joked he forgives him because his music transcends football.
Lifetime award in Sicily
Russell Crowe returned to the Taormina Film Festival to accept a career achievement prize. Speaking at the Teatro Greco, the Oscar-winning actor addressed the audience partly in Italian, encouraging young artists to follow their dreams. He recounted the 30-year journey that took him from ambitious roles to global recognition, and he quoted Ultimo’s lyrics “Ero il bambino che contava le stelle” (I was the child who counted the stars) to illustrate that he still pursues his dreams.
'I was fucking crazy' on the Gladiator set
Crowe recalled the first day of shooting Gladiator in 1999 as a shock. He found himself amid 700 Roman soldiers and 400 barbarians, with hundreds of horses and catapults. A blade struck his face, and a stuntman cut his nose, forcing the makeup team to replicate the wound on Crowe.
“At that age, in 1999, I was fucking crazy.”
Refusing Hollywood's sex scene demand
The studios pressured him to include a sex scene in Gladiator. Crowe resisted, arguing that the film’s core was redemption, not revenge.
“It’s a story of redemption, not revenge. That’s why women liked it more than men. Sex would have erased the moral core.”
Gladiator II's failure: missing the moral core
Crowe did not shy away from critiquing the 2024 sequel, which he believes fell short at the box office.
“It didn’t reach the expected box office, it failed because they didn’t understand the moral core of the first film.”
Fan of Ultimo and counting stars
On the red carpet and during his masterclass, Crowe repeatedly expressed admiration for Italian singer-songwriter Ultimo.
“I’m a big fan of Ultimo, especially his album ‘Solo’.”
“He’s a Roma fan? I excuse him, I forgive him. His music goes well beyond his football team.”
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Sources and context
- Rai newsRussell Crowe: "Ai temi del Gladiatore ero un pazzo: ogni minuto che vedete del film sono io"
- AGIRussell Crowe stupisce tutti: 'Sono un grande fan di Ultimo'
- Corriere della SeraRussell Crowe: "Signori, al mio segnale scatenate l'inferno. Hollywood mi fece pressioni per girare scene di sesso nel Gladiatore"
- AGIRussell Crowe: 'Sul set del Gladiatore ero pazzo. Sarò Unabomber e sfiderò Highlander'
- Russell Crowe
- Oscar-winning actor who received a lifetime achievement award at the 2026 Taormina Film Festival.
- Ridley Scott
- Director of Gladiator, which Crowe spoke about at the festival.
- Ultimo
- Italian singer-songwriter praised by Crowe during the festival; Crowe is a fan of his album ‘Solo’.
- Places
- Rome
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