Oscar-winning actor and director Mel Gibson has revealed that he was originally offered the leading role in Ridley Scott’s historical epic Gladiator, but was forced to turn it down. Gibson rose to fame with the leading role in the Mad Max franchise and followed it up by starring in the Lethal Weapon film series, which helped establish him as a prominent action star. He also transitioned into directing, and helming hit movies such as Braveheart, The Pᴀssion of the Christ, and Hacksaw Ridge, whilst he was also close to starring in another prominent epic film.

During a panel appearance at MegaCon Orlando, with Screen Rant in attendance, Gibson reveals that he was originally in line to star as Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Academy Award-winning movie, but he had to decline. The Mad Max star explains that he couldn’t accept the role due to scheduling conflicts that saw him starring in director Roland Emmerich’s historical war drama The Patriot, which was released the same year. Check out Gibson’s comments in the quote below:

You go back and you think, “Well, I wish I’d done that.” Ridley [Scott] came to me with Gladiator and I didn’t do that either. But I was doing The Patriot, so I couldn’t do The Gladiator, so Russell got it, and he did a great job. It’s kind of interesting, the things you missed.

What Gibson’s Comments Mean For Gladiator

The Movie Could Have Been Very Different With Gibson In The Lead

While it is difficult to imagine anyone but Russell Crowe in the role of Maximus – a part which won him the Best Actor Oscar – he evidently was not Scott’s first choice for the role. Gibson could have been great in the role, but there’s a good bet that the movie would have been decidedly different with him in the lead. For one thing, Gibson was a far more established star than Crowe at the time, and might have influenced the direction of the character in an entirely different way than what Crowe did.

Another aspect that would have made Gibson an interesting casting choice is that his experience as a director might have caused clashes with Scott on set. Gibson is a big personality, and, by the time Gladiator went into production, he had already directed two movies, including Braveheart, which was a commercial and critical success, and is considered among Gibson’s best movies. It’s possible he may have looked to influence the direction of the movie, and this could have resulted in a fractious relationship with Scott.

Our Verdict On How Gladiator Might Have Been With Gibson In The Lead

It’s Likely The Film Would Have Been Very Different & Maybe Not In The Right Way

The similarities between Braveheart and Gladiator could have inspired Scott to seek Gibson for the lead, and his experiences with movies epic in scope and size would have brought an extra dimension to Gladiator. However, on-set clashes between director and star can happen in Hollywood, especially when the star is also a prominent director in their own right, and I believe there’s a good chance this could have happened with Gibson in the lead.