How do you make sequel when the hero is dead?

Ridley Scott Wants To Do a 'Gladiator' Sequel - Starpulse News Blog: "He had originally tried to get a follow-up made in 2003, before abandoning the idea, but things are now back on track. Scott says, 'I will probably do a sequel to Gladiator. The only problem is Russell Crowe was such a powerful presence and, of course, Maximus dies at the end. We'll have to get Russell back somehow.'"

Ok, let's come up with some suggestions. Everyone in Hollywood has run out of ideas, so we have to help them.

There's the "Last Temptation of Christ" idea. You make everything that happens in the new movie a dream that Maximus has while he's dying. He becomes emperor and also he can fly!

You could miracle it. Have the god Jupiter bring him back to life. Except the gods screw up and he's a brain eating zombie.

Here's one with great crossover potential. The Starship Enterprise travels back in time and Dr. McCoy heals Maximus just before he dies. Of course the actor who played McCoy is dead, but we'll just recast him. Viggo Mortensen could play the part.

Of course there's always the prequel. Set it ten years before he died. Somehow you would have to explain why Russell Crowe looks 20 years older. I know it hasn't been 20 years, but Crowe really looks like crap these days.