Actor Russell Crowe‘s been honored with slews of awards, from the Golden Globes to Academy Awards to the BAFTAs. But a recent tribute is arguably his most delicious honor so far—and the star seems to know it.
“Some people get statues made of bronze. Some in marble. In Malta, they have made me out of … chocolate !!!” Crowe posted to X (formerly Twitter) this week, sharing a photo of a life-sized, chocolate version of Maximus, the character Crowe played in 2000’s Gladiator.
The confection was created by artist and catering company owner Tiziano Cassar, who writes on Facebook that the statue was made for Saturday’s Hamrun Chocolate Festival. The annual event, which (per Visit Europe) “includes various entertainment activities such as a procession with knights and the Grand Master’s Entourage in epical costumes,” attracts about 25,000 visitors each year, the Times of Malta reports.
According to Cassar, a mutual friend reached out to Crowe to alert him to his chocolate doppelgänger, and the rest is delectable history. “I feel fortunate to be mentioned by the international and Oscar winner actor on his social media platform,” Cassar says.
“When the competition is over, I will be available to eat…” Crowe wrote, but one place he won’t be available is Gladiator 2, or whatever we’re calling the hotly-anticipated sequel to Crowe’s now-chocolate-commemorated star turn. That movie, which will star Paul Mescal, “has nothing to do with me,” Crowe told Variety in July. “In that world, I am dead. Six feet under.”
“But I do admit to a certain tinge of jealousy,” Crowe said of his decades-old role. “It reminds me of when I was younger and what it meant for me, in my life.” And now he has one more reminder, thanks to Cassar—at least, until a heat wave, ants, or the insatiable throngs come for Maximus once more.
Eve Batey
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