Russell Crowe is set to battle the Roman empire again, more than 20 years after his Oscar-winning turn in Gladiator.

Deadline reports the actor will star in The Last Druid, set to be directed by William Eubank (Underwater) and written by Eubank, Philip Gawthorne (Modern Life is Rubbish), and Carlyle Eubank (Muzzle).

The movie will tell the story of a Roman emperor who discovers a secluded Druid stronghold in the mountains of Caledonia. A peaceful Celtic elder (Crowe) must take up arms to protect his family and people from annihilation.

Crowe is yet to comment on the news, but William Eubank and Gawthorne confirmed it on their respective social media accounts.

Gawthorne posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was “so excited” to announce the “fantastic film project” he’d been working on with a team including Eubank and Crowe.

Eubank shared on X he could not wait to get started on the project, and that Crowe’s character would be a lot of fun – and the “reverse” of the opening of Gladiator.

“Trust me we are going for the proper Celts … lime-washed spiked hair, striped clothes, etc. it’s gonna be fun,” he replied to a fan concerned over historical accuracy.

Crowe previously worked with William Eubank on the 2024 action flick Land of Bad, which featured fellow Australian actors Liam Hemsworth and Luke Hemsworth.

Gladiator launched Russell Crowe to stardom. Photo: Getty

The announcement of The Last Druid comes just a couple of weeks out from the release of Gladiator II, director Ridley Scott’s follow-up to the 2000 original.

Due to the death of Crowe’s character in the first film, the actor will not make an appearance in the sequel.

Earlier this year, Crowe admitted he was “slightly uncomfortable” with that fact.

“A couple of the things I’ve heard, I’m like, ‘No, no, no, that’s not in the moral journey of that particular character’,” Crowe said, during a Zoom chat with US radio host Kyle Meredith.

“But I can’t say anything, it’s not my place … I’m six foot under.

“So we’ll see what that is like.”