Thanks to Kris C ---Premiere Magazine March 2003:

A Warrior Reveals Himself
It's been a long trip back to Rome for Maximus (Russell Crowe); he has returned not as the general he once was, but as Coliseum fodder -- a gladiator whose fate is tied to the whim of a bloodthirsty crowd. This crowd, however, is so impressed by him that even the Emperor - the man who condemned Maximus in the first place - takes notice and greets the warriors in their arena of combat. Maximus sees his chance for revenge but thinks better of it; "My name is Gladiator," he says, and then makes to turn away. When the Emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) demands the fighter announce himself, he finds himself face-to-face with the only man he fears, a man he thought was dead. Crowe quietly emanates vengeance-is-mine resolve as he takes off his helmet and defiantly intones, "My name is Maximum Decimus Meridius..."

 

Russell Crowe injured his shoulder making Gladiator in 1999. He hurt his shoulder again in 2000 training for Flora Plum, causing him to drop out of the project.