Russell Crowe explains why 'Gladiator' was hit and 'Gladiator II' wasn't

Russell Crowe had been a mainstay of Gladiator, which became a breakout success.

However, its sequel, years later, did not replicate the same success, according to the actor.

And Crowe knew why the long-awaited follow-up failed.

It is a lack of a moral code.

Speaking at the Taorima Film Festival, Crowe said, "For them, in a second movie, to destroy that moral center."

The Oscar winner pointed out how the box office of the sequel remained lower than the original movie.

"It’s very interesting because the second movie barely took the same box office that the first movie took, that’s 20 years later."

"When you apply how much of a change there’s been in the value of a dollar, they fail."

Driving the point home, Crowe shared, "They failed because they didn’t understand why it was successful—it had a moral core.”

Expanding on the moral code, the actor said the audience gravitated toward Maximus's unwavering principles.

“[‘Gladiator’] was successful because it had a moral core,” said the actor.

Regardless of gender, Crowe said Maximus's message resonates with both men and women.

“In a way, we all want to be that guy who can stay that strong if you’re a man. And if you’re a woman, we all want a man to love us in that way.”

Gladiator was released in 2000 and dominated the 2001 Oscars, taking home five awards.