Gladiator (2000 film) Gladiator (2000 film) Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. The film was jointly produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his final role), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays Hispano-Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne. Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial
Louis DiGiaimo unknown Brad Pitt to be cast in the role of J.D. Pitt landed the part, and his work in the film helped jump-start his career. The success of this initial union led to DiGiaimo casting Scott's next five films: "", "White Squall", "G.I. Jane", the Academy Award-winning "Gladiator", and "Hannibal". Other directors whose movies DiGiaimo helped cast include John Frankenheimer ("52 Pick-Up"), Luis Llosa ("Sniper"), Brian Gibson ("The Juror"), Sidney Lumet ("Gloria"), Luis Mandoki ("Trapped"), and Richard Donner ("16 Blocks"). He also produced Bob Giraldi's independent film "Dinner Rush". His final film as casting director was Nick Stagliano's "Good Day