Mel Gibson | Maximus – Gladiator

May it be in film or other things, Mel Gibson has certainly made a mark in Hollywood, who is probably well-known for his performance in Mad Max, Braveheart, and Gallipoli. Braveheart, in particular, became one of the reasons why he was offered to take the role of Maximus in the movie Gladiator. He was the first actor approached to play the iconic character. However, Gibson declined it, citing that he was too old as the reason why he turned down the job. Instead, it went to Russell Crowe, who was initially reluctant to read the movie’s script. The movie became a hit, and Crowe was propelled to international stardom.

As for Gibson, he instead took the leading role in The Patriot, starring alongside fellow Aussie Heath Ledger. The movie was quite successful, although not as much as Gladiator. Regardless, Gibson moved on from the turndown and became quite successful not just in acting but also in filmmaking. He made serious investments towards his filming career, creating highly successful movies such as Apocalypto, Hacksaw Ridge, and The Passion of Christ.