20 Things You Didn’t Know About Gladiator

Two decades, multiple awards and an impressive legacy later, it's tricky to even imagine the film with a different actor in the role. However, believe it or not, Russell Crowe wasn’t Ridley Scott’s first choice for his film’s protagonists.

Fellow antipodean Mel Gibson was offered it first, no doubt with visions of his performance as William Wallace at the front of their minds. Gibson turned it down, conscious that, in his early forties, he might be too old for the physically demanding role.

Supposedly, Hugh Jackman and Antonio Banderas were also considered - but eventually, it was decided to go for Crowe, who was busy making his name all over again in Hollywood.

Having acclaimed intimidating, physically intense performances in Romper Stomper and LA Confidential on his resume couldn’t have hurt his chances - but he’d been one of Australia’s most feted actors for years in a huge variety of roles, and Maximus would require more than just a glower or two.