Russell Crowe for 'Gladiator' sequel?

Russell Crowe is in talks to join a second Gladiator movie, reprising his role as dead character Maximus.

Although the actor initially refused to appear in the film, a new script penned by rock singer Nick Cave has encouraged him to reconsider.

"At first I was very cynical about that notion [of a sequel], but I've come around on it," Crowe told the Australian Empire magazine.

“We've had other ideas too, where we step off into the metaphysical and you actually acknowledge the fact that Maximus is dead, but that is a hard script to write.

"Nick Cave actually wrote a draft for me and director Ridley Scott at one point. He's an excellent writer.

"I actually paid for it, such is my belief for the idea. But unless everybody is on line then it's kind of pointless going forward with it."