Washington DC, June 20 -- Russell Crowe believes Gladiator II failed to replicate the success of the original Oscar-winning epic because it lacked the "moral core" that made the 2000 film resonate with audiences, according to Page Six.

Speaking during a panel at the Taormina Film Festival, the actor reflected on his career-defining role as Maximus and revealed why he pushed back against certain creative decisions while making the original Gladiator.

"When we were shooting that film, there was a lot of pressure. The studio, the producers [thought] there should be sex between Maximus and the female characters. I kept pushing back," Crowe said, as per the outlet.

"This is the story of a man avenging the death of his wife and his child. Th...