In the realm of Hollywood's never-realized epics, few come close to the wild ambition of Nick Cave's script for “Gladiator II.” Before Ridley Scott solidified his vision for the sequel, musician and screenwriter Nick Cave concocted an audacious narrative that would have taken audiences on an unprecedented journey. Picture this: Russell Crowe's Maximus resurrected through a time portal, tasked with a divine mission involving a Christ-like figure and the Vietnam War.
Ridley Scott, renowned for his visionary storytelling, had expressed interest in resurrecting Maximus. “I know how to bring him back,” Scott told ME Movies in 2017. The project, which began to take shape around 2006, saw Cave's script shelved at DreamWorks for nearly a decade. Crowe, who reached out to Cave for the script, was also eager to reprise his iconic role.
On a recent episode of the WTF podcast, Cave unveiled the details of his script, aptly titled “Christ Killer.” The plot was nothing short of extraordinary. Maximus, after his death, finds himself in purgatory, only to be sent back to Earth by dying gods. His mission? To kill a rising Christ-like figure whose growing popularity threatens the old gods.
Cave's script wasn't just about a singular mission; it was an epic journey through time. The climax promised a 20-minute battle sequence spanning all of history, from ancient wars to the Vietnam War. “It was a stone cold masterpiece,” Cave remarked, acknowledging that the script's very improbability was what made writing it so enjoyable.
However, the project met an abrupt end when Crowe read the script and responded with a simple, “Don't like it, mate.” Despite its potential, the radical narrative and its theological implications were too controversial, even for Hollywood.
Had it been greenlit, “Gladiator II: Christ Killer” would have required Crowe to undergo a significant physical transformation, given the 25 years since his original portrayal. Despite its shelving, the script remains a fascinating glimpse into what could have been one of cinema's most daring sequels. For those curious, Cave's full script is available online, a testament to the unbounded creativity and risk-taking that occasionally graces Hollywood's drawing boards.
In the end, Nick Cave's “Gladiator II” script stands as a unique artifact of what could have been—a blend of historical epic, religious mythology, and speculative fiction. It's a “popcorn dropper” that, while never made, continues to captivate the imaginations of those who dare to dream beyond the conventional.
